A new donor–acceptor carbazole derivative: Electrochemical polymerization and photo-induced charge transfer properties

A new donor–acceptor carbazole derivative containing N-2-(2-ethylhexyl)-1,8-napthalimide as acceptor pendant was synthesized at three steps and directly coated on to ITO glass surface by using electrochemical process. Subsequently, electrochemical co-polymerization of this monomer was carried out by using 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as co-monomer to give electrochromic polymer film. Spectro-electrochemical studies indicated that co-polymer films exhibit relatively lower band gap than that of homo-polymer. Consequently, photo-induced energy and charge transfer properties from the donor-carbazole to naphthalimide-acceptor were studied by using cyclic voltammetry, UV–vis absorption and emission spectroscopy.