Dual type complementary colored polymer electrochromic devices based on conducting polymers of poly(hexanedioic acid bis-(2-thiophen-3-yl-ethyl ester)

In this study, dual type polymer electrochromic devices (ECDs) based on homopolymer and copolymer of hexanedioic acid bis-(2-thiophen-3-yl-ethyl ester) with 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) were constructed, where PEDOT functioned as the cathodically coloring layer. Spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability, stability, open circuit memory and color of the devices were investigated. Results of the kinetic studies showed these devices exhibit switching times around 1.8 s with an optical contrast of 24-25.3%. The device utilizing the homopolymer revealed color variation between yellow and blue, whereas the one with the copolymer was between orange and blue. Both devices have good open circuit memory under atmospheric conditions, which might be useful in many applications.