Two novel triphenylamine-based thiophene derivative monomers, 4-cyano-4',4″-di(4-methoxythiophen-2-yl)triphenylamine and 4-methoxy-4',4″-di(4-methoxythiophen-2-yl)triphenylamine, were successfully synthesized. The corresponding polymers including poly (4-cyano-4',4″-di(4-methoxythiophen-2-yl)triphenylamine) and poly (4-methoxy-4',4″-di(4-methoxythiophen-2-yl)triphenylamine) were electrochemically synthesized and characterized by multiple test method. The electrochemical measurements and spectroelectrochemical analyses revealed that both of the two polymers had quasi-reversible redox behavior and multi-electrochromic properties. The two polymer films showed reversible electrochemical oxidation, excellent optical contrasts in NIR region (62% at 1070 nm for the first polymer, and 86% at 1255 nm for the second polymer), satisfactory coloration efficiencies and fast switching times. The research on the application of the as prepared polymer in the fabrication of electrochromic device was also conducted, employing PCMTPA or PMMTPA as the anodically coloring materials.
Keywords: 4-cyanotriphenylamine; 4-methoxytriphenylamine; bithiophenes derivatives; electrochromic devices; electrochromism; spectroelectrochemistry.