From aerospace to screen: Multifunctional poly(benzoxazine)s based on different triarylamines for electrochromic, explosive detection and resistance memory devices

Four kinds of main-chain benzoxazine polymers (PBZ) containing triarylamine (TAA) units were synthesized by Mannich reaction and characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques, etc. Thermal, optical, photophysical and electrochemical properties were studied. The 50% of char residue is left in N2 at 800 °C. The polymers are soluble in common organic solvents and easily spin-coated onto indium‑tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. All the polymers have voltage window ranging from 0 to 1.8 V, and the colors change from yellowish to dark red when voltage is applied. Meanwhile, device assembled from polymer exhibit significant color changes. Furthermore, the polymers also have promising potential application in explosive detection and resistance memory devices. [Display omitted] •Different triarylamines are used to tune Egs of poly(benzoxazine)s.•PBZs designed and prepared for electrochromic, resistance memory device.•The fluorescence of the PBZs is sensitive to explosives.•Contrast of solid-state ECD is improved by color changing of dual electrodes.