Electrosynthesis of ambipolar electrochromic polymer films from anthraquinone-triarylamine hybrids

Two ester derivatives featuring anthraquinone as an interior core and terminal electroactive triphenylamine or carbazole groups were prepared by the condensation of 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone with 4-(diphenylamino)benzoyl chloride and 4-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)benzoyl chloride, respectively. The electrochemistry and electropolymerization of these monomers were investigated. The polymeric films were built onto ITO/glass surface by repetitive cyclic voltammetry scanning of the monomer solutions containing an electrolyte. The electrogenerated polymer films exhibited reversible electrochemical processes and strong color changes upon electro-oxidation or electro-reduction, which can be switched by potential modulation. The remarkable electrochromic behavior of the film was clearly interpreted on the basis of spectroelectrochemical studies, and the electrochromic stability was evaluated by the electrochromic switching studies. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 644-655