Donor−Acceptor Polymer with Benzotriazole Moiety: Enhancing the Electrochromic Properties of the “Donor Unit”

Abstract

A new donor−acceptor type polymer poly(4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2-dodecyl-2H-benzo [1,2,3] triazole) (PBEBT) was synthesized and its electrochromic properties were investigated. Spectroelectrochemistry studies for PBEBT showed an absorption maximum at 618 nm which is nearly identical to that of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) where polymer has a saturated blue color in its neutral state. However, PBEBT film revealed better properties than that of PEDOT in terms of optical contrast, switching time and coloration efficiency. Additionally, electrochemical and spectral results conclude that PBEBT is a both p- and n-type dopable polymer. PBEBT proved to be a superior option for electrochromic display device applications.