Multi-colored electrochromic polymer with enhanced optical contrast

A new π-conjugated monomer was synthesized which contains an electron-donating unit 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene and electron withdrawing quinoxaline-based heterocycle to examine the effects of imine unit on the optoelectronic and redox properties of the resulting polymer. Electroactivity of monomer and electrochemical redox behavior of its polymer were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. An irreversible anodic wave at +0.85 V vs Ag wire reference electrode corresponding to the monomer oxidation was observed. Spectroelectrochemical analysis revealed that the neutral polymer has an absorbance at 820 nm. The band gap of the polymer was determined as 1.0 eV from the onset of the π–π∗ transition. The polymer shows multi-colored electrochromic behavior with five distinct states: brick red (−0.3 V), orange (+0.4 V), brown (+0.7 V), green (+0.85 V), gray (+1.2 V). The polymer revealed 34% optical contrast at 460 nm and an excellent optical contrast of 99% in the NIR region.