Synthesis and Electrochromic Properties of Films Comprising Graphene-Oxide Nanosheets Modified with PEDOT Nanoparticles

The nano-structured composite coatings, comprising the graphene-oxide (GO) nano-sheets surface modified with poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanoparticles, were synthesized by electrochemical deposition. The nanostructures, electronic structures, electrochromic properties of the PEDOT/GO films were characterized with scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results show that the hybrid nanostructures on surfaces of the PEDOT/GO coatings significantly improved the electrochromic properties. For example, the hybrid nanostructures were responsible for drastically increasing the contrast, between the coloring and fading states at 480 nm, from 23. 4% of the PEDOT up to 37. 6% of the PEDOT/GO, for sharply shortening the coloring/fading times from 1800 ms/1500 ms down to 600 ms/700 ms, and for considerably enhancing the coloration efficiency from 55. 8 cm² C^-1 to 83. 4 cm² C^-1. We suggest that the novel nanostructured PEDOT/GO hybrid coatings may be a promising intelligent window and visible light invisibility material.