a b s t r a c tElectrochemical copolymerization of pyrrole (Py) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was performed in an ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, (BMIM BF4) employing a 'micro-cell' in order to use the materials efficiently. Characterization of the copolymers formed on an ITO substrate was performed for different Py: EDOT ratios (1:2, 1:1, 2:1) in both aqueous and ionic liquid electrolytes. The three copolymers displayed different absorbance spectra with max of the polaron species at 507, 540 and 580 nm for PPy-co-PEDOT ratios of 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, respectively. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical analysis revealed that the properties of the copolymer depend upon the Py/EDOT monomer ratio used. The copolymer PPy-co-PEDOT (2:1) displayed good stability, a switching time of 20 s and a colouration efficiency of 101.3 C-1cm2. The presence of Py in the copolymer stabilised the polaron state of the copolymer and allowed greater ion mobility compared to the PEDOT alone.

Please cite this article in press as: L. Astratine, et al., Characterization and electrochromic properties of poly(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroaniline): Progress towards a transparent conducting polymer, Electrochim. Acta (2012) a b s t r a c tElectrochromic films of poly(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroaniline) (PTFA) were formed on ITO substrates from aqueous solutions utilising perchloric acid (HClO 4 ) as dopant. Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of PTFA films was performed in background electrolyte and in solutions with the addition of tetrahydrofuran. When the PTFA film was removed from its growth medium, a significant decrease in the faradaic current was observed. The faradaic response increased on addition of tetrahydrofuran which facilitates ion movement through the polymer matrix. PTFA films deposited on ITO substrate were orange and light orange in the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively. The films were ca. 25 nm in thickness. In aqueous solution the films showed a porous structure with a non-uniform distribution of pore diameters. In the presence of tetrahydrofuran a less porous structure was observed.