Electrochromic and photoconductive polymer nanoparticles

Electrochromic (EC) and photoconductive nanoparticles coated with a conducting polymer, poly(1,4-bis(2-[3′,4′-ethylenedioxy]thienyl)-2-methoxy-5-2‴-ethylethylhexyloxybenzene) (PBETH) were prepared. TiO2 nanoparticles were employed as a nanotemplate for the preparation of conducting polymer capsules. The PBETH capsules showed blue to red transition by the applied potential showing electrochromic behavior. Electrochromic contrast, coloration efficiency and response time of the EC electrodes coated with PBETH/TiO2 were significantly improved compared to the electrode coated with PBETH without TiO2. Having conductive polymer layer and photoactive TiO2 particles, the polymer capsules showed photocurrent generation when exposed to a UV light.