Exploiting Mixed Valence Charge Transfer for Electrochromic and Electrofluorochromic Use

An asymmetric mixed valence fluorophore with two different electron rich termini was investigated as a dual-role active material for electrochromism and electrofluorochromism. The fluorescence quantum yield (Φfl) and emission wavelength of the fluorophore were dependent on solvent polarity. The quantum yield of the material in an electrolyte gel, on a glass substrate and in a device was 40 %, 20 % and 13 % respectively. The fluorophore further underwent two near-simultaneous electrochemical oxidations. The first oxidation resulted in a 1000 nm red shift in the absorption to broadly absorb in the NIR, corresponding to the intervalence charge transfer (IVCT). Whereas the second oxidation led to a perceived green color at 715 nm with the extinction of the NIR absorbing IVCT. Owing to the dissymmetry of the fluorophore along with its two unique oxidation sites, the IVCT gives rise to a mixed valence transfer charge (MVCT). The coloration efficiency of the fluorophore in both solution and a device was 1433 and 200 cm2 C-1, respectively. The fluorescence intensity could be reversibly modulated electrochemically. The photoemission intensity of the fluorophore was modulated with applied potential in an operating electrochromic/electrofluorochromic device. Both the dual electrochromic and the electrofluorochromic behavior of the fluorophore were demonstrated.

Electroluminochromic Materials: From Molecules to Polymers

Electroluminochromism is an interesting property found in certain classes of molecules and polymers whose photoluminescence can be modulated through the application of an external electrical bias. Unlike electrochromic materials, electroluminochromic counterparts and their applications are comparatively fewer in quantity and are less established. Nonetheless, there prevails an increasing interest in this class of electro-active materials due to their potential applications in optoelectronics, such as smart-displays, and chemical and biological sensing. This review seeks to showcase the different classes of electroluminochromic materials with focus on (i) organic molecules, (ii) transition metal complexes, and (iii) organic polymers. The mechanisms and electroluminochromic performance of these classes of materials are summarized. This review should allow scientists to have a better and deeper understanding of materials design strategies and, more importantly, structure-property relationships and, thus, develops electroluminochromic materials with desired performance in the future.

Recent advances in triphenylamine-based electrochromic derivatives and polymers

Triphenylamine-containing electrochromic materials with great potential applications in low energy-consumption displays, light-adapting mirrors in vehicles, and smart windows have experienced an exponential growth of research interests. In this review, the newly developed triphenylamine-based derivatives and polymers are reviewed and elaborated.

Organic-inorganic hybrid electrochromic materials, polysilsesquioxanes containing triarylamine, changing color from colorless to blue

Four kinds of soluble monomers, containing triarylamine (TAA) group with reactive siloxane group, were synthesized under mild conditions via the reaction between 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (TEOSPIC) and four TAA derivatives, respectively. Then the corresponding colorless organic-inorganic hybrid materials (PSSOs) were derived from the hydrolytic condensation of the monomers. PSSOs revealed good solubility in polar solvents on account of the effect of propeller-like TAA unit as well as the auxo-action effect of the flexible chain within the monomers. The structural characteristics of these PSSOs were identified by ¹H NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, FT-IR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology, dynamic changes of the transmittance and current before and after electro-oxidizing reaction were studied, and didn’t show significant change suggesting good stability of the PSSOs. Meanwhile, these PSSOs performed high contrast of optical transmittance change up to 84% with the highest coloration efficiency to 241 cm²·C⁻¹. Furthermore, electrofluorescent properties of PSSOs were investigated with high-contrast.

Novel Polyamides with 5H-Dibenzo[b,f]azepin-5-yl-Substituted Triphenylamine: Synthesis and Visible-NIR Electrochromic Properties

In this study, a new diamine monomer, namely 4,4′-diamino-4″-(5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-5-yl)triphenylamine, was prepared and polymerized with four kinds of dicarboxylic acids via direct polycondensation reaction resulting in a novel series of soluble and electroactive polyamides (PAs). The tough thin films of all PAs could be solution-cast onto an indium-tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrate owing to the good solubility in polar organic solvents. Two pairs of obvious redox peaks for these films were observed in cyclic voltammetry (CV) with low onset potentials (E_onset) of 0.37–0.42 V accompanying with remarkable reversible color changes between light yellow and dark blue. A new absorption peak at around 915 nm emerged in near infrared (NIR) spectra; the increasing potential indicated that PAs could be used as a NIR electrochromic material. Moreover, the PAs showed high coloration efficiency (CE; η) in the range of 190–259 cm² C⁻¹.

Novel organosoluble polyarylates based on diphenylamine-fluorene units

Two kinds of polyarylates with diphenylamine-fluorene units were synthesized from the bisphenol monomer “ N, N-di(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-amino-9,9-dimethylfluorene” with two different benzenedicarbonyl chlorides. These polyarylates were highly soluble in N, N-dimethylacetamide, tetrahydrofuran, and chloroform and could be easily solution-cast into transparent films. Both of the polyarylates exhibited a couple of reversible redox with half-wave potentials in the range of 0.87–0.90 V. During the electrochromic process, the color of the film changed from colorless (neutral state) to grey green (oxidation state) with a high coloration efficiency of 242 cm2 C−1. Compared with the polyarylates prepared from terephthaloyl chloride, the polyarylates prepared from isophthaloyl chloride exhibited enhanced fluorescence because of the reduced charge-transfer effect. Furthermore, its fluorescence could be reversibly switched under the applied potentials.

Visible-to-NIR Electrochromic Device Prepared from a Thermally Polymerizable Electroactive Organic Monomer

A monomer (1) consisting of a benzothiadiazole core flanked by two triphenylamines and two styrene pendant moieties was prepared. The monomer was fluorescent with its emission spanning 145 nm in the visible, contingent on the organic solvent used for the measurement. In addition to its positive solvatochromism, the absolute fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_fl) was consistently >20% with values >80% being measured in hexane, toluene, diethyl ether, and toluene. 1 could be reversibly oxidized with an oxidation potential of 880 mV vs SCE. The monomer could be immobilized on ITO-coated glass substrates. The resulting 425 nm thick immobilized film (poly-1) was 15% thinner than the monomer coating deposited by spray- and spin-coating. The electroactive film did not delaminate from the electrode upon either washing or cycling electrochemically between its oxidized and neutral states. Its absorption at 460 nm bleached upon electrochemical oxidation with the formation of a strong absorption at 880 nm and in the NIR, similar to 1. The perceived reversible color change with applied potential switched between yellow and gray. The fluorescence intensity of poly-1 could be switched with applied potentials. A passive transmissive device prepared from poly-1 was both electrochromic and fluorochromic, exhibiting reversible color change and fluorescence quenching.

Multiple Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence Behavior of Novel Polyamic Acid Bearing Oligoaniline, Triphenylamine, and Fluorene Groups

Multiple stimuli-responsive fluorescent materials have gained increasing attention for their fundamental investigation and intelligent applications. In this work, we report design and synthesis of a novel polyamic acid bearing oligoaniline, triphenylamine, and fluorene groups, which served as sensitive units and fluorescence emission unit, respectively. The resulting polymer exhibits multiple stimuli-responsive fluorescence switching behavior triggered by redox species, pH, electrochemical, and pressure stimuli. Every fluorescence switching mechanism upon each stimulus was studied in detail. The interactions and energy transfer between sensitive units and emission unit are largely responsible for this fascinating fluorescent switching behavior. This work provides a deep understanding of the optical switching essence upon these stimuli, opening the way for the development of new fluorescent sensing applications.

Gas transport properties of polyimide membranes based on triphenylamine unit

A series of polyimide (PI) membranes were prepared based on three triphenylamine-based diamines, namely 4,4′-diaminotriphenylamine, 4,4′-diamino-3′′,5′′-dimethyltriphenylamine, and 4,4′-diamino-3′′,5′′-ditrifluoromethyltriphenylamine, via thermal imidization procedure. The PI membranes displayed good thermal properties, with glass transition temperatures of 279–341°C and 5% weight loss temperatures above 515°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. The gas permeation properties of the membranes were investigated and interpreted from the viewpoint of the PI backbone structure. The gas permeation coefficients increased as the substituent pendant groups at the 3′′,5′′ positions of the triphenylamine varied from –H to –CH3 and –CF3, and the permselectivity of gas pairs (including hydrogen/nitrogen (N2), oxygen/N2, carbon dioxide (CO2)/N2, and CO2/methane) decreased in this order. The diffusion coefficients and solubility coefficients were calculated, and the results revealed the variation of the substituted triphenylamine units principally influenced the diffusion coefficients, indicating that the substituted triphenylamine affected the gas transport properties by “diffusivity-controlled” modification.

Electrochromic and electrofluorochromic polyimides with fluorene-based triphenylamine

A series of novel polyimides (PIs) based on N,N-di(4-aminophenyl)-2-amino-9,9-dimethylfluorene and various dianhydrides were synthesized. These PIs were amorphous and readily soluble in many solvents. They displayed outstanding thermal stability and high glass transition temperatures (269–374°C). The polymer films showed reversible electrochemical redox and satisfactory electrochromic performance with long-term stability, high coloration efficiency, and acceptable switching times. The PI derived from 1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylic dianhydride exhibited maximum fluorescence at 400 nm with quantum yields up to 28.1%. Furthermore, the fluorescence can be effectively electroswitched between “on” and “off” states, exhibiting a high contrast ratio of 75.

A series of organosoluble polyamides with 4-(dimethylamino)triphenylamine

A series of novel aromatic polyamides containing 4-(dimethylamino)triphenylamine were prepared via the polycondensation reactions of the newly synthesized dicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-dicarboxy-4″-(dimethylamino)triphenylamine, and various diamines. Introduction of 4-(dimethylamino)triphenylamine units along the polymer chain enhanced the solubility of the polymers. The 10% weight loss temperatures of these polymers ranged from 432°C to 471°C with the char yields more than 63% at 800°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The polymers displayed low oxidation potentials because of the incorporation of dimethylamino at the para position of triphenylamine. Cyclic voltammograms of the polyamide films showed their onset potential around 0.38–0.47 V with color changing from nearly colorless to light blue.

Swift Electrofluorochromism of Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Polytriphenylamines

Electrofluorochromic (EFC) materials, which exhibit electrochemically controllable fluorescence, hold great promise in optoelectronic devices and biological analysis. Here we design such donor-acceptor (D-A) conjugated polymers-P(TPACO) and P(TCEC)-that contain the same electron-rich and oxidizable polytriphenylamine (PTPA) as π-backbone, yet with different electron-deficient ketone and cyano units as pendant groups, respectively. They both exhibit solvatochromic effects due to intrinsic characteristics of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Compared to P(TPACO), P(TCEC) shows stronger ICT, which leads to higher electrochemical oxidation potential and lower ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, both polymers present simultaneous electrochromic (EC) and EFC behaviors with multistate display and remarkably rapid fluorescence response. The response time of P(TPACO) is as short as 0.19 s, nearly 4-fold faster than that of P(TCEC) (0.92 s). Such rapid response is found to be determined by the ion diffusion coefficient which is associated with the ICT nature. Finally, the EFC display device based on P(TPACO) is successfully demonstrated, which shows green fluorescence ON/OFF switching upon applied potentials. This work has successfully demonstrated that swift EFCs can be achieved by rational modulation of the ICT effect in such D-A conjugated polymers.

Synthesis and properties of electroactive aromatic polyimides with methyl- or trifluoromethyl-protecting triphenylamine units

Two series of new redox-active aromatic polyimides with methyl- (–CH3) or trifluoromethyl (–CF3)-protecting triphenylamine moieties were prepared from 4,4′-diamino-4″-methyltriphenylamine and 4,4′-diamino-4″-(trifluoromethyl)triphenylamine with aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides via the conventional two-step polycondensation technique. Flexible and strong polyimide films could be obtained via the thermal curing of their precursor poly(amic acid) films or direct solution cast from some organosoluble polyimides. The polyimides showed high glass-transition temperatures between 269°C and 312°C, and they did not show significant decomposition before 500°C in air or under nitrogen atmosphere. Cyclic voltammograms of the polyimide films on the indium–tin oxide-coated glass substrate exhibited a pair of reversible redox waves with half-wave oxidation potentials of 1.08–1.10 V (for the –CH3 series) and 1.23–1.26 V (vs. silver/silver chloride; for the –CF3 series) in acetonitrile solution. The polyimide films showed anodic electrochromism from pale yellow neutral state to purplish blue (for the –CH3 series) and chrome yellow (for the –CF3 series) when oxidized.

Highly stable electrochromic and electrofluorescent dual-switching polyamide containing bis(diphenylamino)-fluorene moieties

A novel semi-aromatic polyamide with bis(diphenylamino)-fluorene moieties was designed and synthesized, which exhibited highly stable electrochromic/electrofluorescent dual-switching properties.

High-contrast electrochromic and electrofluorescent dual-switching materials based on 2-diphenylamine-(9,9-diphenylfluorene)-functionalized semi-aromatic polymers

Two kinds of 2-diphenylamine-(9,9-diphenylfluorene)-functionalized semi-aromatic polymers were prepared and they exhibited stable and high-contrast electroswitching in both coloration and emission.