Conjugated Polymers for Photo-electrochromic Devices

Abstract

It is clear that the new generation smart windows will develop much more in the coming years and in this sense, new multifunctional materials will be used in this field. While the easy use of such applications makes people happy, on the other hand, it also highlights energy efficient housing and transportation for humanity. There are some interesting parameters such as the control of daylight entering or leaving smart windows, self-power supply, and display functionality. Among the various chromogenic color changes, electrochromic methods are the fastest and easiest to control. Electrochromic materials are high-performance materials that are preferred both in the scientific world and in technological devices with their interesting electrochemical and optical properties. These materials can be inorganic or organic based, such as transition metal oxides, viologen systems and conductive polymers. Among them, electrochromic conductive polymers attract more attention with their superior mechanical, electrochemical and optical properties in portable electronics. Moreover, the ease and low cost of the synthesis procedures, as well as its low power and performance superiority, further solidify its rise among other materials in this sense. By modifying the chemical structures of conductive electrochromic polymers (or monomers) as desired, sharp and vivid color changes can be observed even at room temperature. The development of new electrochromic polymers can be with various modifications of the main chain, as well as side chain engineering, morphology control. Electrochromic properties of thin films of conductive polymers polymerized by chemical or electrochemical methods can be used in photo-electrochromic applications for information storage and various imaging purposes. In this study, it is desired to give information about conjugated polymers for self-powered electrochromic windows.