All polymeric solid state electrochromic devices

All Polymer Solution Processed Electrochromic Devices: A Future without Indium Tin Oxide?

The growing range of applications for optoelectronic and electrochromic devices (ECDs) encourages the search for materials combining high electrical conductivity with optical transparency. Next generation transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) are required to be inexpensive, lightweight, scalable, and compatible with flexible substrates to trigger innovations towards supporting sustainable living and reducing energy consumption. Here we show that PEDOT:PSS can be solution processed using blade coating and subsequently post-treated with nitric and acetic acid to raise its conductivity above 2000 S cm^-1 with a film transparency of ∼95%. A combined grazing-incidence wide angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, and thickness analysis of the film indicates that the removal of excess insulating PSS^- inducing reordering is the critical parameter for the claimed conductivity increase. We then investigate the impact of replacing indium tin oxide electrodes with PEDOT:PSS in ECDs. While electrochromic contrast and optical memory are comparable for devices constructed with both electrode materials, differences in switching kinetics are explored by comparing internal resistances, ion diffusion, and charging effects in the polymer films extracted by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. While all these ideas are described based on a battery-type ECD configuration, these concepts are easily transferable to other types of redox-active devices.

Enhanced electrochromic properties of a polypyrrole–indigo carmine–gold nanoparticles nanocomposite

Enhanced electrochromic properties of a PPy–IC–Au_nanop nanocomposite obtained by the one-step growth of gold nanoparticles and electropolymerization of indigo carmine doped polypyrrole.

Polypyrrole derivatives for electrochromic applications

This review provides a comprehensive assessment of recent progress in polypyrrole derivatives which are specially designed for electrochromic applications.

A first truly all-solid state organic electrochromic device based on polymeric ionic liquids

Utilization of polymeric ionic liquids in solvent-free electrochromic devices offers simple application of the latter in wide glazing and display production.

Electrochemical properties of PANI as single electrode of electrochemical capacitors in acid electrolytes

The polyaniline (PANI) powder with globular sponge-like morphology was prepared by chemical solution polymerization, and its morphology and chemical structure were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. The single electrode of electrochemical capacitor was made using the prepared PANI powder as active material and carbon paper as current collector. Electrochemical properties of PANI as a single electrode in 1 M HCl and 1 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte solution were tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. It has been found that PANI has higher specific capacitance of 302.43 Fg⁻¹, higher specific energy of 54.44 Wh·kg⁻¹ at 0.5 Ag⁻¹, and higher working potential in 1 M HCl than those in 1 M H₂SO₄.

Polymer based interfaces as bioinspired 'smart skins'

This work reports on already achieved results and ongoing research on the development of complex interfaces between humans and external environment, based on organic synthetic materials and used as smart 'artificial skins'. They are conceived as wearable and flexible systems with multifunctional characteristics. Their features are designed to mimic or augment a broad-spectrum of properties shown by biological skins of humans and/or animals. The discussion is here limited to those properties whose mimicry/augmentation is achievable with currently available technologies based on polymers and oligomers. Such properties include tactile sensing, thermal sensing/regulation, environmental energy harvesting, chromatic mimetism, ultra-violet protection, adhesion and surface mediation of mobility. Accordingly, bioinspired devices and structures, proposed as suitable functional analogous of natural architectures, are analysed. They consist of organic piezoelectric sensors, thermoelectric and pyroelectric sensors and generators, photoelectric generators, thermal and ultra-violet protection systems, electro-, photo- and thermo-chromic devices, as well as structures for improved adhesion and reduced fluid-dynamic friction.