Reversibly Modifyingthe Opto-Electroactivity of FunctionalizedCoatings by Reversible Bonds

An electroactive coating functionalized with carbonyls could undergo reversible covalent bond formation with various amines. Hydrolyzing the coating’s azomethine released the carbonyl, and it could subsequently be condensed with a different amine. The covalent heteroatomic bond could also sustain dynamic covalent exchange by replacing its constitutional amine with a different amine. The discrete oxidation potentials and emissions of the various products were used to confirm the reversible bond formation of the functionalized coating electrochemically and spectroscopically. Reversibly modifying both the electroactivity and the emission courtesy of the reversible azomethine bond opens the possibility of perpetually adjusting the properties of degraded functionalized coatings. Ultimately, reversible bond formation can extend the lifetime of electroactive films and improve their life cycle management by repurposing them for different uses.