LAUSR

Abstract This work reports the preparation of a quaternary electron acceptor-donor-acceptor-donor (A-D-A-D) nanohybrid material based on covalent bonds between oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-ox, A), diamino-functionalized with 9-methylcarbazole group (D), 3-carboxythiophene (A) and the final covalent linking with electron-donor poly(3-dodecylthiophene) (P3DDT). All the spectroscopic analyses corroborate the covalent bindings formation and, therefore, the successfully preparation of this novel quaternary nanohybrid. Interestingly, the hybrid showed a better electrochromic performance when compared to neat P3DDT, with a coloration efficiency almost twice higher and greater long-term electrochromic cyclability until 25 cycles (500 s). Indeed, the covalent bonds between the acceptor-donor sub-units have enhanced some properties of this nanohybrid material, e.g., the lower band gap energy and the lower resistance of charge transfer. However, this hybrid material has presented some practical limitations that should be considered if applied to an electrochromic device, particularly, the low optical contrast, slow times of response and poor cyclic stability.