N-substituted poly(3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole)s: High gap and low redox potential switching electroactive and electrochromic polymers

TLDR: A series of electrochromic N-substituted poly(3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole)s (PProDOPs) are reported in this paper, which exhibit the combined properties of a high (>3 eV) electronic band gap, colored oxidatively doped forms, and easily accessible, low redox potentials.

Abstract: A series of electrochromic N-substituted poly(3,4-propylenedioxypyrrole)s (PProDOPs) are reported, which exhibit the combined properties of a high (>3 eV) electronic band gap, colored oxidatively doped forms, and easily accessible, low redox potentials. Utilizing methyl (Me), propyl (Pr), octyl (Oct), propanesulfonated (PrS), and ethoxyethoxyethanol (Gly) pendants, the absorbance of the π−π* transition of the resulting polymers is blue-shifted when compared to the nonderivatized parent. For example, in the case of poly(N-ethoxyethoxyethanol ProDOP) (N-Gly PProDOP), this transition displays a maximum at 306 nm (onset at 365 nm), providing a colorless and highly transparent neutral polymer with a luminous transmittance greater than 99% for a film thickness of about 200 nm. N-Substituted PProDOPs display very well-defined cyclic voltammograms, with E1/2 < −0.1 V vs Fc/Fc+ (+0.2 V vs SCE), negative of the oxidation of water, as desired for materials having stable doped forms and long-lived redox switching pro...