Syntheses of electroactive layers based on functionalized anthracene for electrochromic applications

A new monomer (DTAT) was synthesized via linking 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) on anthracene. The polymer, P(DTAT) was electrosynthesized by anodic oxidation of the corresponding monomer in 0.1 M LiClO4 acetonitrile (ACN) solution. The optical properties, the absorption spectra and the kinetics, were examined. Spectroelectrochemical analysis showed that P(DTAT) has an electronic band gap (due to π-π* transition) of 1.57 eV at 776 nm. Copolymers of DTAT with EDOT were prepared in ACN/LiClO4 (0.1 M) solvent-electrolyte couple by varying applied potential. The incorporation of an EDOT into the full conjugated backbone, DTAT, affects its optical behavior resulting in different colors; a claret red neutral state, gray and red intermediate states and a blue oxidized state. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved