Tailoring Electrochromic Properties through Discrete Electrochromes: Synthesis and Characterization of Poly[bis(5,2‘-bithiophene-2-yl)dimethylsilane]

A linear polythiophene, poly[bis(5‘,2‘-bithiophene-2-yl)]dimethylsilane, which incorporates silyl bridges in the backbone was synthesized to tailor the electrochromic properties. Solid-state electrochromic devices comprised of this polymer as the active material were fabricated and were analyzed following CIE L*a*b* formalism. By limiting the effective conjugation in the polymer, its electrochromic properties were deliberately altered to produce a yellow to green color change from its neutral to oxidized state.