Issue 1, 2022

Conquering residual light absorption in the transmissive states of organic electrochromic materials

Abstract

In this short review, we provide an overview of our efforts in developing a family of anodically coloring electrochromic (EC) molecules that are fully transparent and colorless in the charge neutral state, and that can rapidly switch to a vibrantly colored state upon oxidation. We employ molecules with reduced conjugation lengths to center the neutral state absorption of the electrochrome in the ultraviolet, as desired for highly transparent and colorless materials. Oxidation creates radical cations that absorb light in the visible and near infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, thus providing a host of accessible colors. Combining a density functional theory (DFT) computational approach fed back to the synthetic effort, target molecules are proposed, synthesized and studied, directing us to develop a complete color palette based on these high contrast ACE molecules. Utilizing pendant phosphonic acid binding substituents in concert with high surface area mesoporous indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes, the electrochromes can be distributed throughout the oxide film, bringing high extent of light absorption and color density.

Graphical abstract: Conquering residual light absorption in the transmissive states of organic electrochromic materials

Article information

Article type
Minireview
Submitted
16 Jūl. 2021
Accepted
04 Okt. 2021
First published
12 Okt. 2021

Mater. Horiz., 2022,9, 252-260

Author version available

Conquering residual light absorption in the transmissive states of organic electrochromic materials

A. M. Österholm, L. Nhon, D. E. Shen, A. M. Dejneka, A. L. Tomlinson and J. R. Reynolds, Mater. Horiz., 2022, 9, 252 DOI: 10.1039/D1MH01136G

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