Electrochemistry of dithienylethenes and their application in electropolymer modified photo- and redox switchable surfaces

Diarylethenes have proven to be versatile responsive components in many applications due to their photochromic properties. In recent years their potential use as redox switchable components has become increasingly apparent. Applying dithienylethenes as redox switchable components requires their immobilisation on conducting substrates and hence electropolymerisation is a promising, albeit, challenging approach to developing such systems. In this review the electrochemical properties of dithienylethenes will be discussed together with a consideration of mechanistic aspects of the switching processes observed followed by a review of recent efforts to develop dithienylethene based redox and photoswitchable redox polymers through electropolymerisation.