Deterioration mechanism of electrochromic poly(3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) thin films

Abstract

Here we investigate the stability of poly(3,4-(2,2-dimethylpropylenedioxy)thiophene) (PProDot-Me₂) films <italic>via</italic> cycling 10 000 times in 0.1 M LiClO₄/propylene carbonate (PC). And we find the morphology changed from a loose irregular network to compact structure with fibres covered by [ClO₄]⁻ and Li⁺ because of chemisorption and physisorption during cycling, the adsorbed ions decreased electroactive sites and blocked ion migration channels.