Colours from electroactive polymers: Electrochromic, electroluminescent and laser devices based on organic materials

This paper focuses on the most relevant devices currently used in order to achieve electrically stimulated generations of colours from electroactive polymers, either as coloured light emissions from the material or as modifications of its intrinsic colour properties. For this purpose, most relevant materials, fundamental principles of operations, latest developments and current applications of organic-based electrochromic, electroluminescent and lasing devices are reviewed here. The very promising performances resulting from the analysis of state-of-the-art products, and in particular of those which are currently approaching commercial applications, suggest likely roles played by such devices for niche applications in the very near future. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.