Solution-processable donor-π-acceptor derivatives for high-performance electronic memristors

Two novel small donor-pi-acceptor derivatives (D-pi-A, 3 and 5) containing aromatic amine as a donor and naphthalimide as an acceptor have been synthesized and fully characterized. The derivatives were selected as active layers in the fabrication of solution-processable electronic resistive memory devices. The experimental results indicated that the 5-based device exhibited wider memory windows, higher ON/OFF ratio and excellent bipolar resistive switching behavior compared with the 3-based device. In addition, detailed analyses of electrical properties, intramolecular charge transfer in molecules 3 and 5, and surface morphology of the as-prepared devices were carried out to realize the boosting resistive switching response.