Surface-Functionalized, Two-Dimensional Polymer Electrochromic Layers as Ultrafast, Multi-State Infrared Optical Gates
Electrochromic devices have widespread application potential, but the currently available switching speeds limit broad real-world implementation of this technology. Here, we report surface-engineered two-dimensional polymers with ionophilic pores that offer unprecedented switching speeds in solid-state, two-terminal, electrochromic devices. In particular, we demonstrate that a crystalline donor–acceptor 2DP functionalized with ethylene glycol oligomers exhibits multistate infrared absorption that is 4× faster (tc = 320 ms) with 3× coloration efficiency (491 cm2 C–1) compared to an alkyl functionalized 2DP constructed from the same chromophores. The functionalized nanoporous surfaces enable rapid switching in these materials under either oxidative or reductive conditions, allowing usmore »