All‐Inorganic Ionic Polymer‐Based Memristor for High‐Performance and Flexible Artificial Synapse

Abstract The implementation of memristors that are wearable and transparent has attracted significant attention. However, the development of high‐performance memristors that simultaneously possess high flexibility and environmental stability has remained a tremendous challenge suffering from limited choice of materials with both good ion‐electron mobility and structural flexibility. Inspired by the unique poly‐ionic nature of ammonium polyphosphate (APP), a novel Au/APP/ITO memristor with favorable flexibility and stability is prepared. Synaptic behaviors can be stimulated by voltage pulses that are 20 ns in width, 0.1 V in amplitude, and repeatable under 10⁴ pulse cycles, thereby outperforming several other benchmark memristors. Further, the device, prepared on conductive silicone, can sustain its synaptic performance even under 360° bending. Furthermore, the device can sustain its synaptic behaviors even after exposure to fire for 60 s and 5.6 kGy of ionic irradiation. Additionally, APP is determined to be nontoxic, biodegradable, and transparent when compared with all the organics and inorganics used in previous memristors. The results of this study will inspire the development of more inorganic polymers for their utilization in future environmentally stable and flexible electronics.