High-performance fluorescent/electroactive (A4+B2)-type hyperbranched polyimide with AIE-enhanced electroflourochromic behavior

In this work, we demonstrate a facile strategy to realize aggregation-induced emission (AIE) enhanced electrofluorochrom by synthesizing an (A4+B2)-type hyperbranched polyimide (HB-TPE-PI) from a new tetra-amine monomer and 1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (HPMDA). Tetraphenylethene (TPE) and methoxy-substituted diphenylamine (DPA) were integrated as a core unit that can improve high solid fluorescence and realize efficient electroflourochromic (EFC) control. The cavity-rich hyperbranched polymer architecture could enable a fast-redox process and enhance cycling stability by facilitating ion extraction. The strategy of AIE-functionalization core combining the hyperbranched structure will synergistically improve the EFC performance. As a result, the designed HB-TPE-PI film demonstrated excellent solubility, thermal stability, and first-class EFC switching performance with fast response speed (response times of 1.8/0.2 s), high fluorescence contrast (425) and highly stable cycling stability over 10000 s.