Red, Green, Blue (RGB) Electrochromic Fibers for the New Smart Color Change Fabrics

These fibers are prepared using stainless steel wires (SSWs) as a substrate. Three kinds of electrochromic materials (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly(3-methylthiophene), and poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline)) are quickly deposited on the surface of the SSWs by electrochemical polymerization. A polymer gel electrolyte is then coated onto the electrochromic layer, and another finer stainless steel wire is twisted on, in succession. The obvious RGB colors and gradient color phenomenon from gray to dark blue are observed by the naked eye besides color changes from oxidized to reduced states. Moreover, these electrochromic fibers have very short response times (millisecond scale), excellent flexibility, and good structural stability even though the bending and folding occurred. They also can be implanted into fabrics to achieve more color combinations through regulating the voltages and parallel connection of different circuits.