[Paper] Designed Electrochromic Display Devices with Ru(II)-Based Metallo-Supramolecular Polymer For Experience-Based Exhibits at Ehime Prefectural Science Museum

Abstract

Metallo-supramolecular polymers (MSPs) are a novel type of electrochromic (EC) materials. Ru(II)-based MSP (polyRu) composed of Ru(II) and bis(terpyridyl)benzene showed reversible color changes between orange and pale green. The orange color was caused by the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption in polyRu and disappeared by the electrochemical oxidation of Ru(II) to Ru(III). The pale green was returned to the original orange by the electrochemical reduction of Ru(III) to Ru(II). EC devices with polyRu were fabricated by the combination of an electrolyte solution, counter material, and two ITO glasses. The character images were displayed on the EC devices using insulating films. The insulating films prevented the electron transfer between the ITO glass and the polyRu layer and made the image stand out in the device. The fabricated EC display devices were presented at a science museum of Japan as experience-based exhibits.