A new electrochromic copolymer based on dithienylpyrrole and EDOT

A new compound, namely diethyl 2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3,4-dicarboxylate (1), was copolymerized with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) via electrochemical method. The copolymer exhibits multicolor electrochromic property: It is found that the copolymer, poly(1-co-EDOT), has a specific optical band gap (1.71 eV) to reflect and/or transmit reddish brown color in the neutral state, and it can be switched to reddish orange, orange, yellowish green and blue colors upon oxidation in a low switching time (1.0 s). Importantly, these colors are essential for camouflage and/or full color electrochromic device/display applications. In addition to these, the obtained copolymer has a coloration efficiency of 173 cm2/C at 500 nm.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We report a new copolymer based on dithienylpyrrole and EDOT. ► Copolymer formation was revealed by SEM images also. ► A wide range of colors and low switching time were obtained.