Methacrylate Modified Polythiophene: Electrochemistry and Electrochromics

A novel methacrylate modified thiophene (TE-MA) was synthesized, and the electrochemical method resulted in the formation of the polymer (PTE-MA). Structure characterization and tests of PTE-MA, including FT-IR, morphology, electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical and electrochromic properties, were systematically explored. During redox process, PTE-MA exhibited reversible color changes gray to brown. Kinetic studies demonstrated that PTE-MA exhibited good electrochromic performance, including satisfactory optical contrast ratio (20% at 420 nm; 23% at 900 nm), high coloration efficiency (165 cm2 C-1 at 420 nm; 112 cm2 C-1 at 900 nm) and fast response time. In addition, as-obtained PTE-MA film showed compact morphology and favorable stability, which indicate that PTE-MA is promising material for the construction of electrochromic device.