Variable-color poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) electrochromics from precursor polymers

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 378 - 382
• Main Authors: Invernale, Michael A., Bokria, Jayesh G., Ombaba, Matthew, Lee, Ki-Ryong, Mamangun, Donna M.D., Sotzing, Gregory A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 21.01.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Conjugated polymers; Electrochromics; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers with particular properties; Precursors; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Electrochromics; Precursors; Conjugated polymers; Ring opening polymerization; Silane copolymer; Solution polycondensation; Electrochromism; Complex catalyst polymerization; Experimental study; Functional polymer; Thiophene derivative polymer; Optical properties; Preparation; Alternating copolymer; Norbornene derivative polymer; Unsaturated polymer; Thiophene derivative copolymer; Siloxane copolymer; Spectroelectrochemistry
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.12.015

We have developed two approaches to processable precursors to conjugated polymers: main-chain and side-chain. Upon oxidative conversion to the conjugated polymer, a main-chain precursor yielded a nearly perfect spectral match, an identical λ max, and an equivalent band gap to that of electrodeposited chromophore, resulting in a color match. This precursor method has the potential to incorporate any chromophore and achieve spectral and color matching with relative ease, as opposed to extensive synthetic monomer design. We describe the synthesis and characterization of a new side-chain and two new main-chain precursor polymers, each of which contains a derivative of 3,4-propylenedioxythiophene, ProDOT-Me 2. The side-chain precursor tethers one ProDOT-Me 2 molecule to a poly(norbornene) backbone; the main-chain systems are perfectly alternating copolymers of ProDOT-Me 2, one with dimethylsilane and one with tetramethyldisiloxane. Electronic and optical properties for these converted precursors were described and compared to electrodeposited PProDOT-Me 2. [Display omitted]