An O-Carborane Derivative of Perylene Bisimide-Based Thin Film Displaying both Electrochromic and Electrofluorochromic Properties

Abstract

The widespread application in displays, information encryption, and sensors has boosted studies of electrochromic (EC) systems combining large contrast, fast response, high robustness, and low-cost properties. Herein, we report a filmtype new EC system with a non-planar perylene bisimidecarborane derivative (PBI-CB) as the electroactive materials. It was revealed that the film demonstrated outstanding EC properties with response times of 1.18 and 0.94 s for the coloration and bleaching processes, respectively, large transmittance variation around 630 nm (45.7%), and superior stability for more than 200 coloration-bleaching cycles. Moreover, the film also showed precious electrofluorochromic (EFC) properties. The emission around 650 nm at the "on" state could be more than 24.5 times than that at the "off" state, and the response times of the off and on processes could reach 2.2 s and 4.3 s, respectively. Considering the facts that the film was fabricated via simple drop-coating, the EC/EFC operation was performed via a routine three-electrode system and the voltage applied is only −1.3 V, we believe that the EC/EFC system as developed would find applications in smart windows, information encryption, optoelectrical sensing, etc. In addition, the work could also pave the way for developing combined EC/EFC systems via employing known organic fluorophores as the electrochemical active materials, which are not only abundant in numbers but also solution-processable.

Corannulene Extended Viologen-Based Ambipolar Polymers for Transparent-to-Color Electrochromic Supercapacitors

“…Electrochromic supercapacitors with visible energy storage levels and high charge/discharge rates have been used to power wearable and portable intelligent electronics. − Among these materials employed in electrochromic smart windows and supercapacitor devices, redox-active π-conjugated polymers have received great attention because they exhibit rapid electrochemical reactions, flexibility, and solution-processability, and they can change color and store energy through the faradaic reaction during the doping/dedoping process. − To achieve the optimal polymer-based supercapacitor configuration, researchers have designed a supercapacitor using an ambipolar polymer with a p-doped state and an n-doped state, which can store positive and negative charge in one material. − Taking advantage of dual doped states, the ambipolar supercapacitor enlarges the operating voltage window, leading to a higher energy density.…”

A simple construction of multiple highly-efficient orange-emitting carboranes based on interlocked molecular aggregations

“…The 1,2- closo -dicarbadodecaborane ( o -C 2 B 10 H 12 , Cb) is an icosahedron boron–carbon cluster that has been widely exploited in boron neutron capture therapy, 14–16 biomedicines, 17,18 chemical sensing 19–23 and nonlinear optics. 24–27 As an analogue of rotating benzene, Cb has exhibited several unique features, including three-dimensional (3D) pseudo-aromaticity, high thermal stability, biocompatibility, and an electron-withdrawing ability ( via a C-connection), making it a promising building block for AIE materials.…”

Design and Synthesis of Shape Memory Phenol-Formaldehyde with Good Irradiation Resistance, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties

“…As a type of smart material, shape memory polymers (SMPs) can respond to an external stimulus by changing their shape and spontaneously recovering their original shape from a temporary shape. , SMP can be softened upon heating above its transition temperature ( T trans ) and deformed to an expected temporary shape by applying an external force. The temporary shape can be maintained for a long time by cooling down below T trans and then the permanent shape can be automatically recovered upon reheating above T trans .…”