Conjugated polymers based on poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) backbones are widely studied for electrochromics, due to their favourable redox properties including enhanced optical contrast and fast switching kinetics in nonaqueous electrolytes. The usual hydrophobic nature of these polymers renders them redox-inactive when interfaced with aqueous salt solutions. This work illustrates an effective side chain modification approach where polar amide functional groups are incorporated into the polymer side chains to attain redox switching in aqueous electrolytes while maintaining a high contrast. The impact of substitutional modifications (in terms of primary and secondary amide groups) on the interaction with hydrated and non-hydrated ions is studied using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques to elucidate the underlying mechanisms leading to redox activity in aqueous electrolytes. The presence of amide groups is beneficial in terms of reducing the oxidation onset potential, making them attractive candidates for electrochromics in both nonaqueous and aqueous electrolytes.

中文翻译：

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具有含酰胺侧链的共轭电致变色聚合物，可与水电解质相容†

基于聚（3,4-丙烯二氧基噻吩）（PProDOT）主链的共轭聚合物因其良好的氧化还原特性，包括增强的光学对比度和在非水电解质中的快速转换动力学而被广泛研究用于电致变色。这些聚合物的通常疏水性使其在与盐水溶液接触时使它们不具有氧化还原活性。这项工作说明了一种有效的侧链改性方法，其中将极性酰胺官能团掺入聚合物侧链中，以在水性电解质中实现氧化还原转换，同时保持高对比度。使用电化学和光谱技术研究了取代修饰（就伯酰胺基和仲酰胺基而言）对与水合离子和非水合离子相互作用的影响，以阐明导致水性电解质中氧化还原活性的潜在机理。酰胺基的存在有利于降低氧化开始电势，使其成为非水和水电解质中电致变色的有吸引力的候选者。