3,6-Dimethoxythieno[3,2-b]thiophene-Based Bifunctional Electrodes for High-Performance Electrochromic Supercapacitors Prepared by One-Step Electrodeposition

Abstract

An integrated visual energy system consisting of conjugated polymer electrodes is promising for combining electrochromism with energy storage. In this work, we obtained copolymer bifunctional electrodes poly(3,6-dimethoxythieno[3,2-b]thiophene-co-2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-3-ylmethanol)(P(TT-OMe-co-EDTM)) by one-step electrochemical copolymerization, which exhibits favorable electrochromic and capacitive energy storage properties. Because of the synergistic effect of PTT-OMe and PEDTM, the prepared copolymers show better flexibility. Moreover, the morphology and electrochemical properties of the copolymers could be adjusted by depositing different molar ratios of 3,6-dimethoxythieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT-OMe) and 2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4] dioxin-3-ylmethanol (EDTM). The P(TT-OMe-co-EDTM) electrodes realized a high specific capacitance (190 F/g at 5 mV/s) and recognizable color conversion. This work provides a novel and simple way to synergistically improve electrochromic and energy storage properties and develop thiophene-based conducting polymers for electrochromic energy storage devices.

Keywords

• one-step electrodeposition
• 3,6-dimethoxythieno[3,2-b]thiophene
• electrochromism
• controlled color change
• supercapacitor