Conducting polymers of succinic acid bis-(2-thiophen-3-yl-ethyl)ester and their electrochromic properties

The homopolymer and copolymer of succinic acid bis-(2-thiophen-3-yl-ethyl)ester with thiophene were achieved via constant potential electrolysis in the presence of tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate as the supporting electrolyte, and acetonitrile/borontrifluoride ethylether (ACN/BFEE) (10:2 v/v) solvent mixture. The characterizations of both homopolymer (PSATE) and copolymer P(SATE-co-Th) were achieved by various techniques including cyclic voltammetry (CV), FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The four-probe technique was used to measure the conductivities of the polymers. Investigation of the electrochromic properties via spectroelectrochemistry, colorimetry and switching studies revealed that both polymers may serve as anodically coloring materials for use in ECD applications.