Smart windows application of carbazole and triazine based star shaped architecture.

A novel triazine-based, star shape and electroactive monomer, 2,4,6-tris(2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TCZ) which contains 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine as the core and 2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethanol as the arms, was successfully synthesized. After electrochemical polymerization of the TCZ monomer, called PTCZ, the polymer shows superior optoelectronic and thermal properties due to its unique three-dimensional shape and highly-branched structure in comparison with linear analogues. Electrochromic studies exhibited that PTCZ has turquoise color in the oxidized state and is transparent in the neutral state. Due to the fact that the redox color characteristics of PTCZ are indispensable for smart windows, a PTCZ-based electrochromic device was formed with PEDOT as complementary coloring material. A potential range of -1.5 to +1.8 V was determined to be suitable for operating the PTCZ/PEDOT device between transparent and blue colors. Characterizations of the device were performed in term of switching times, optical contrast, optical memory and redox stability.