Both p- and n-type dopable polymer toward electrochromic applications

Synthesis and electrochemical polymerization of 8,11-bis(4-hexylthiophen-2-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-b]quinoxaline (HTAQ) were performed. The polymer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy and colorimetry. Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that the polymer was susceptible to both p- and n-doping. The electroactive polymer has fast switching time and high optical contrast. Spectroelectrochemistry also showed that the polymer is capable of being switched from bluish-green and a highly transmissive green upon p-type doping. Highly fused nitrogen containing acceptor group was utilized in the polymer backbone which was resulted in a polymer that has a significant potential for n-type doping. The existence of a true n-type doping process was proven by the results of both cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry studies.