Liquid crystal electropolymerisation under magnetic field and resultant linear polarised electrochromism

Abstract

The electrochemical preparation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is conducted in liquid crystal (LC) electrolyte solution with nematic (N), cholesteric (Ch*), and smectic A (SmA) phases under a magnetic field. The polymer imprints the molecular arrangement of the LC electrolyte during the polymerisation process. The oriented polymers thus obtained displays optical texture characteristics that resemble those of the LC electrolyte solution. Especially, visualization of SmA domain through PEDOT fibrils is achieved. The magnetic alignment produces linear optical polarisation for the polymers. The PEDOTs thus prepared exhibit good reproducible electroactivity. The present electropolymerisation under magnetic field affords polymer films with linear polarised electrochromism.