Fabrication and electrochemically-modulated optical properties of viologen and carbon dots hybrid glass composite films. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Yan; Ma, Qiang; Berda, Erik B.; Liu, Xincai; Wang, Ce; Chao, Danming
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 174(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Viologen -- Electrochromic -- Electrofluorochromic -- Electrochemically-modulated; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.108048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: The electrochemical manipulation of optical properties will be essential in engineering next generation intelligent displays, wearable devices, and smart sensors. The rational design of electrochemically-modulated optical materials, especially those with multiple regulatory capacities, remains an unmet research challenge. We present here an optical composite, featuring multiple electrochemically-modulated properties, prepared through an electrochemistry-assisted hydrolytic crosslinking reaction between electroactive viologen and fluorescent carbon dots. Upon the electrochemical manipulation of the redox states of the viologen moieties, the resultant composite film exhibits interesting multistage regulated chromism with great color contrast, moderate switching rates, good coloration efficiency, and enhanced cycling stability. We demonstrate a unique sequential multistage regulated electrofluorochromism resulting from the inner filter effect and synergistic interplay between the electroactive viologen units and the fluorescent carbon dots. Furthermore, this optical composite reveals electrogenerated chemiluminescence with acceptable electrochemiluminescence intensity, attributed to the intrinsic behavior of carbon dots. Graphical abstract: A novel optical composite composed of electroactive viologen and fluorescent carbon dots was fabricated through electrochemistry-assisted hydrolytic crosslinking reaction. Due to the inherent functionality and interplay of viologen and carbon dots, the resultant composite film displays multiple electrochemical-modulated optical character including electrochromism, electrofluorochromism, and electrochemiluminescence. Image 1 Highlights: An electro-optical composite composed of viologen and carbon dots was prepared. An electrochemistry-assisted hydrolytic crosslinking reaction was developed. Multiple electrochemical-modulated optical characteristics have been disclosed.