Electrochemical and electrochromic properties of a novel copolymer based on perylene and EDOT

Abstract Copolymer of perylene (PE) with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was electrochemically synthesized and characterized. The resultant copolymer film not only has orange-light emitter property, but also possesses distinct electrochromic properties. It shows four colors at different doped states (from red–brown to light-green). Double potential step chronoamperometry experiment reveals that the copolymer film has high optical contrast (25% at 516 nm, 42% at 1100 nm) and fast switching time (2 s). Cyclic voltammograms indicate that the polymer has reasonable stability because of the existence of EDOT units.