Emitting electrode coatings with redox-switchable conductivity: incorporation of ruthenium(ii)-2,6-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine complexes into polythiophene by electropolymerization

Polythiophenes doped with ruthenium(II)-2,6-di(quinolin-8-yl)pyridine complexes are prepared via an electrochemical polymerization approach. The influence of the ruthenium(II)–thiophene ratios and different complex assemblies on the electrochemical, conductivity, and optical properties of the polymer are studied. The polymers feature an enhanced redox stability with increasing ruthenium(II) content and reversibly switchable conductivities (up to 10−5 S cm−1), combined with the characteristic emission of the complexes at around 750 nm under ambient conditions.