Colorless-to-Black Electrochromism from Binary Electrochromes toward Multifunctional Displays

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Abstract
Cyclohexane-1,2,4,5-tetracarboxylic diimide with a non-conjugated core has been incorporated to bridge two conventional triphenylamine units. The obtained monomer has successfully hypsochromically shifted the maximum absorption wavelength by 10 nm in comparison to the one with pyromellitic diimide bridge. Consequently, a colorless electrochromic (EC) polymer PTPA-HDI was electropolymerized on ITO-coated glass. The morphology, absorption, and spectroelectrochemistry properties of polymer PTPA-HDI films electropolymerized by different scan cycles have been systematically investigated. It is found that the comprehensive properties, such as color contrast and initial transparence, can be achieved for the polymer film electropolymerized by 15 scan cycles. Moreover, to realize colorless-to-black electrochromism, an asymmetric viologen derivative HVCN has been designed and straightforward synthesized. With the introduction of a cyanophenyl group and a hexyl chain on the two pyridinium units, colorless-to-green electrochromism can be realized for this processible viologen derivative. The absorption band at 495 nm of colorated PTPA-HDI compensates well for the valley in the absorption spectrum of colorated HVCN. Therefore, different types of colorless-to-black electrochromic devices (ECDs) are fabricated by using polymer PTPA-HDI deposited ITO electrode and HVCN based gel electrolyte. Such a supporting electrolyte free ECD with binary electrochromes exhibit fast coloration, high color contrast, and excellent reversibility. Furthermore, an encryption ECD is demonstrated by switching a black two-dimensional code. In addition, an auto-digital display is integrated on a smart window and hence different functions can be realized in a single ECD. Overall, this study may facilitate the understanding of the EC behaviors of binary electrochromes and present a new path to design multifunctional displays.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (2018YFA0209401)
  • Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (19PJ1400700)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (21674023, 21733003, 51722301, 51903052)

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