Synthesis and electrochromic properties of poly(amide-imide)s with N,N,N’,N’-tetraphenylbenzidine moieties
摘要
A diamide-preformed diamine monomer, N,N’-bis(4-(4-aminobenzamido)phenyl)-N,N’-diphenylbenzidine, was successfully synthesized and subsequently employed to produce electroactive aromatic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) through two-step polycondensation reactions with commercially available tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. The resulting PAIs exhibit good solubility in various organic solvents and can be solution-cast into smooth, flexible thin films. They demonstrate high thermal stability, with glass transition temperatures ranging from 292 to 304 °C and no significant decomposition observed before 450 °C. Their cyclic voltammograms reveal two closely spaced oxidation waves at approximately 0.87 V and 1.04 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), indicating a reversible electrochemical oxidation process accompanied by color changes from a colorless neutral form to chrome yellow in the first oxidation stage, and subsequently to deep blue in the second oxidation stage. In comparison to the polyimide derived from N,N’-bis(4-aminophenyl)-N,N’-diphenylbenzidine and 4,4’-oxydiphthalic anhydride, the corresponding PAI exhibits a lower oxidation potential and higher solubility in organic solvents. The PAIs demonstrate promising electrochromic performance, characterized by rapid response time, high optical contrast, high coloration efficiency, and satisfactory switching stability and reversibility.