Feature Article

Electrical Switching and Bistability in Organic/Polymeric Thin Films and Memory Devices†

  1. Y. Yang,
  2. J. Ouyang,
  3. L. Ma,
  4. R. J.-H. Tseng,
  5. C.-W. Chu

Article first published online: 14 MAR 2006

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200500429

Issue

Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume 16, Issue 8, pages 1001–1014, May, 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Yang, Y., Ouyang, J., Ma, L., Tseng, R. J.-H. and Chu, C.-W. (2006), Electrical Switching and Bistability in Organic/Polymeric Thin Films and Memory Devices. Adv. Funct. Mater., 16: 1001–1014. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200500429

Author Information

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

  1. †

    The authors thank Prof. Richard Kaner of the Chemistry Department of UCLA for his collaboration and providing the PANI nanofiber. Technical discussions with Dr. Chuck Szmanda of Rohm Haas, Prof. Qibing Pei of UCLA, and Dr. Ed Chandras of Bell Labs are also acknowledged. We are indebted to Mr. Brian Shedd for his help in polishing our English. Finally, we express ultimate thanks to our financial supporters over the past several years on the organic/polymeric memory devices. The Office of Naval Research and National Science Foundation provided the initial funds for the triple-layer organic memory devices. The Air Force of Scientific Research provided the funding for the polymer memory devices. Finally, the PANI/Au NP memory device was supported by the UCLA FENA-MACRO Center with funds from the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) and the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 MAY 2006
  2. Article first published online: 14 MAR 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 16 OCT 2005
  4. Manuscript Received: 16 JUN 2005

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Keywords:

  • Data storage;
  • Electrical bistability;
  • Electronics;
  • Nanoparticles, metal;
  • Organic electronics;
  • Polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

Recently, films created by incorporating metallic nanoparticles into organic or polymeric materials have demonstrated electrical bistability, as well as the memory effect, when subjected to an electrical bias. Organic and polymeric digital memory devices based on this bistable electronic behavior have emerged as a viable technology in the field of organic electronics. These devices exhibit fast response speeds and can form multiple-layer stacking structures, demonstrating that organic memory devices possess a high potential to become flexible, ultrafast, and ultrahigh-density memory devices. This behavior is believed to be related to charge storage in the organic or polymer film, where devices are able to exhibit two different states of conductivity often separated by several orders of magnitude. By defining the two states as “1” and “0”, it is now possible to create digital memory devices with this technology. This article reviews electrically bistable devices developed in our laboratory. Our research has stimulated strong interest in this area worldwide. The research by other laboratories is reviewed as well.

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