Facile Fabrication of Triphenylamine‐Based Redox‐Active Nanocomposites by a Sol‐Gel Method: Enhanced Electrochromic Response Capability and Stability Performance

Abstract

In this research, a new design of organic‐inorganic hybrid networks involving covalently bonding, novel, electron‐donating triphenylamine (TPA)‐containing electroactive molecules to inorganic metal oxides is successfully developed by using a facile sol‐gel process. These anodically electrochromic TPA‐containing materials exhibit multicolor electrochromic behaviors at various oxidation states. By introducing zirconium oxide into electrochromic materials, not only can an excellent optical transparency in the visible light region at a neutral state be achieved given the nature of the large energy bandgap, but the electrochromic switching can also be driven by a lower oxidation potential with an enhanced response capability (shorter coloring times and bleaching times). Moreover, the hybrid films show outstanding electrochemical stability and high reversibility under long‐term operations owing to their good adhesion to the electrode. Consequently, the electrochromic devices derived from these novel hybrid electroactive materials reveal a huge potential for electrochromic applications.