Electrochemical leveling effect on multi-aromatic monomer films to prepare robust conducting polymer Nano- and microfilms by vapor deposition combined with electropolymerization

Multi-aromatic conducting polymer films, poly(N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine) (PPNA), were prepared by using a combination of vapor deposition and electrochemical polymerization. The PNA monomer film was vapor deposited on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass and was then electropolymerized using cyclic voltammetry in a 1 N HClO₄ aqueous solution. An electrochemical rubbing effect happened on the monomer film using the above combined process, producing a robust electrode material of PPNA film in the electrochromic device: ITO/PPNA film//PU-LiClO₄//PEDOT:PSS/ITO, where poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) is PEDOT:PSS, and polyurethane is PU. Short response time (ca. 10 s) was attained from coloring to bleaching processes. After 200 switching, the stable Coulombic efficiency and optical contrast possess the values of 108 and 28%, respectively.