LAUSR

Abstract Three bis(triphenylamine) diimides, TPA-PMDI, TPA-NTDI and TPA-PTDI, were synthesized from condensation of 4-aminotriphenylamine with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA) and 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTDA), respectively. Redox-active poly(arylamine-imide) films coded with TPA-PMPI, TPA-NTPI, and TPA-PTPI could be electrodeposited robustly on the electrode surface in an electrolyte solution via the oxidative coupling reactions between TPA radical cations. The CVs of these elecrtrodeposited films showed an ambipolar redox behavior, with a reversible redox couple at E1/2 of 0.99–1.02 V during the anodic scanning and two pairs of redox waves during cathodic scanning. The polyimide films exhibited multicolored anodic and cathodic coloring. Electrochromic devices using the electropolymerized films as active layers were also fabricated as preliminary investigations for electrochromic applications.