Introduction of Interfacial Load Polymeric Layer to Organic Flexible Memristor for Regulating Conductive Filament Growth

In flexible neuromorphic electronics, solution-processed organic memristors are important elements to perform memory functions. Despite considerable development for improving performances of organic memristors, the devices still exhibit the poor reliability and uniformity due to the stochastic characteristics of the conductive filament (CF) growth. Herein, the effective concept of introducing the interfacial load polymer (ILP) layers that control the CF growth in flexible organic memristors is demonstrated. In the flexible organic memristor, the ILP serves as an internal load resistor that regulates the CF growth in the electrolyte medium and the electron blocking layer, hence realizing self-rectifying characteristics. In particular, the ILP provides the self-compliance current of the device, which delicately limits the overgrowth of CFs. The flexible device delivers higher electrical performance (better reliability, uniformity, and the switching currents) than conventional devices without the ILP. Moreover, the device operates stably under repeated bending–straightening deformations. This unprecedented concept of achieving the capabilities of self-compliance current and self-rectifying property in a single memristor will provide a practical platform for constructing and realizing next-generation flexible neuromorphic systems.