Metallopolymeric films based on a biscyclometalated ruthenium complex bridged by 1,3,6,8-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrene: Applications in near-infrared electrochromic windows

A biscyclometalated ruthenium complex bridged by the 2,7-deprotonated form of 1,3,6,8-tetra(2-pyridyl)pyrene was deposited onto indium-tin oxide glass electrodes by reductive electropolymerization. The resulting metallopolymeric films exhibited tricolor electrochromic behavior in the near-infrared region upon switching of the two well-separated Ru ^II/III processes at low potentials. A good contrast ratio (35%) at 2050 nm and a long memory time up to 100 min were recorded for this electrochromic behavior. The response time is typically of a few seconds.