Ultrasensitive and Degradable Ultraflexible Synaptic Transistors Based on Natural Pectin

Degradable organic synaptic transistors provide guidelines for the realization of implantable neuroelectronic devices and “green” brain-like systems. However, because of the scarcity of high-capacitance and degradable dielectrics, it remains a formidable challenge for devices to achieve the same sensitivity as biological synapses. Here, ultrasensitive and degradable ultraflexible synaptic transistors based on natural apple pectin dielectric have been designed. Relying on the strong proton-gating ability caused by the high capacitance of pectin, the operating voltage of single synaptic behavior is as low as −20 mV, comparable to the biological synaptic action potential level (∼100 mV), and exhibits an ultrahigh signal-to-noise ratio of 4.7 and a sensitivity of 6.7 dB. The ultraflexible devices maintain stable, ultrasensitive synaptic behavior on various curved surfaces, even on the cross section of a dragonfly’s wing. After the device completes its function, it can be naturally degraded in water, effectively reducing environmental pollution. Therefore, our work provides a powerful reference for the study of “green” ultrasensitive neuromorphic systems and efficient electronic biological interfaces.