Electrochromic Polymers for Solar Cells

Abstract

Electrochromic materials have attracted a lot of research interest for their fascinating spectro-electrochemical properties and commercial applications. A large number of inorganic and organic electrochromic materials ranging from transition metal oxides, metal coordination complexes, viologen systems, and conducting polymers are available. Electrochromic conducting polymers are exciting new class of electronic materials with a huge potential in the rapidly growing area of plastic electronics due to their electronic and optical properties, ease of processing, low-power consumption, flexibility, and low processing cost. They consist of vibrant colors and can be processed under simple ambient temperature. In this chapter, the general field of electrochromism is introduced, with coverage of the classes, operating principle, the experimental methods used in their study, and applications of electrochromic materials. Some of the most important examples of the major classes of electrochromic conducting polymers are highlighted. It surveyed electrochromic conducting polymers with a focus on their chemistry, electrochemistry, stability, and ability to enhance the performance of solar cell device.