Diffusion of two monomers and their oxidative copolymerization inside of a solid-state gel electrolyte is utilized as a method to match the monomer feed ratio to a color resulting from a conjugated copolymer having a single absorption in the visible region. Here, we evaluate several different monomers in which the conjugated homopolymers have a single wavelength absorption with a focus on 1,3-di-tert-butyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT-tBu2) and 2,2-dimethyl-3,4-propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT-Me2), since their respective homopolymers are at the high and low energy extremes of the visible spectrum. Combining the two monomers generates a solid-state electrochromic device consisting of a gradient of subtractive colors of any single wavelength in the colored state and when the device is switched to the bleached state, this spectrum of colors all transition to transmissive sky blue. This approach is analogous to the paint industry, where two or three dyes can be combined to make any color, various feed ratios of only two or three different monomers in the synthesis of conjugated copolymers (CPs) could yield the same result for electrochromic applications. These findings could have a significant impact on electrochromic applications such as displays, eyewear, windows, and fabric wherein achieving a specific color or color set is critical to its functional use. Further, these colors could be quickly obtained, avoiding tedious tailored synthetic procedures and purification.  Figure 1.  (A) and (B) are the high-throughput screening device that shows PProDOT-tBu2, PProDOT-Me2 and the copolymer region in the neutral state, and (B) is the zoomed in picture of the copolymer region. (B) Also illustrates how the feed ratio of ProDOT-tBu2 and ProDOT-Me2 varies. (C) Shows the feed ratios calculated from the diffusion coefficient, and their respective color coordinates. (D) The color spectrum of subtractive color shows the color of the two homopolymers and the copolymers at each point (shown in (B)).

High-throughput screening of color for electrochromic polymers

247th National Meeting (2014)

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