Welded electrochromic conductive polymer nanofibers by electrostatic spinning

Conducting polymer nanofibers with average diameter as low as 119 nm exhibiting electrochromism were prepared via electrospinning of soluble precursor polymer, followed by solid/swollen state oxidative crosslinking. During the crosslinking, the fibers welded together without significant perturbation of the morphology, maintaining the quality and shape of nanofibers. In the conversion process solvent is used to swell the precursor polymer and the nanofibers naturally weld together during conversion. The nanofiber were found to be exhibiting switching times between 2-3 s, 20 fold faster than 1 μm thick electrochemically prepared films.