Synthesis of novel fluorobenzene-thiophene hybrid polymer for high-performance electrochromic devices

Electrochromic devices based on high-performance polymer materials with exceptional optical contrast, superior cycling stability, and large coloration efficiency are critical for the advancement of electrochromics, and have the potential to innovate a broad range of applications, including flexible displays and wearable electronics. Here, we design and synthesize three precursors of fluorobenzene-3-methylthiophene D-A-D type polymers through one-step Stille coupling, and then prepare the corresponding polymer films with good electrochemical and electrochromic properties via low-potential electropolymerization at 0.52 V vs Ag/AgCl. Interestingly, such polymers exhibit overall high electrochromic performances during the electrochemical reaction with inversible color changes between yellow and dark blue, including high optical contrast (83% at 1050 nm), fast response time (1.4 s / 0.8 s), and long-term stability (< 2% reduction after 250 cycles). As-fabricated electrochromic devices display excellent cycling stability (< 3% optical contrast degradation after 1,000 cycles) at a low drive voltage (0.8 V). Due to these excellent electrochromic properties, d-A-D type polymers based on fluorobenzene-3-methylthiophene can be further developed for practical applications such as near-infrared camouflage and E-displays.