A new electrochromic copolymer composed of 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c] [1,2,5]thiadiazole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene

A new electrochromic copolymer based on 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c] [1,2,5]thiadiazole and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene was successfully obtained via the electrochemical polymerization method in the medium of electrolyte solution, which consists of 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate and dichloromethane. In order to compare the electrochemical and chemical properties of the copolymer, the benzothiodiazole derivative and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomers, which are parts of the copolymer, are electrochemically polymerized, separately in the same environment and concentration with the copolymer. Poly(4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole) (P(TBT)) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymers were obtained. Before starting the electrochemical synthesis, the initial oxidation potentials of the monomers that form the copolymer were compared via the cyclic voltammeter method in this solvent electrolyte medium. Then, electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical characterizations of electrochemically synthesized polymers and copolymers were performed. New copolymer shows metallic blue and centaury blue in its neutral and oxidized states, respectively with a low band gap of 1.32 eV. Moreover, the copolymer has a 59% optical contrast and high coloration efficiency (324 cm(2)C(−1)) at 585 nm with a switching time of 2.2 s.