Multilayer electrochromic surfaces derived from conventional conducting polymers: Optical and surface properties

In this study, some kinds of multilayer (double and triple) electrochromic (EC) surfaces were prepared using layer-by-layer (LBL) electrodeposition techniques. Polypyrrole (PPy) was deposited as the first layer and the upper layers were changed. EC characteristics were investigated by spectroelectrochemical measurements. Surface roughness parameters (Root Mean Square-RMS) were determined using atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The results showed that different color options may be obtained by altering LBL deposition of EC polymers. Equilibrium water contact angle (circle minus(equ)(water)) measurements showed that incorporation of hydrophilic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) PEDOT in LBL EC surfaces resulted in a decrease in the contact angle. However, the circle minus(equ)(water) of multilayer films increased with the incorporation of the hydrophobic polycarbazole (PCarb) layer. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.