Use of novel dopants and doping effects for broadband signature control in conducting polymer systems

An important current need exists for materials that have dynamically controllable signature in the visible through far-IR spectral regions, for applications ranging from signaling, camouflage, and miniature flat panel displays to shutters and wide-spectral electrochromics. Conducting polymers (CPs) are one of the few materials that can afford such dynamic, wide- spectral signature control, while also affording properties such as stability and in many cases, easy fabricability for complex displays. Common CPs such as poly(pyrrole) and poly(aniline) however show poor multicolor capability, and poor transparency and dynamic range (color contrast), together with less than acceptable environmental stability. Besides proper selection of the CP, the key to obtaining controllable, wide-spectral (visible-IR) electrochromism as well as high dynamic range appears to be proper selection and application of dopants. Ashwin- Ushas Corp. has developed a series of poly(aromatic amines) in combination with several novel dopants and dopant combinations to obtain displays and other hardware with very wide multicolor capability, high dynamic range in the IR, and very high cyclability. Colors in the visible range from glass-clear through the rainbow colors to black. Dynamic ranges in the IR are up to 95% for specular and diffuse reflectance. Other properties of interest, such as extended cyclability and optical memory retention, are also excellent.