Donor Engineering Tuning the Analog Switching Range and Operational Stability of Organic Synaptic Transistors for Neuromorphic Systems

Organic artificial synapses are becoming the most desirable format for neuromorphic computing due to their highly tunable resistive states. However, repressively low analog switching range, inferior memory retention, and operational instability greatly hinder the further development of organic synapses. Herein, two donor-acceptor copolymers consisting of electron-deficient isoindigo coupled with variable donating moieties for three-terminal organic synaptic transistors (TOSTs) are reported. It is found that the synaptic function and device stability of TOSTs are significantly improved by enhancing the electron-donating strength of donor units. Polymer alkylated isoindigo-bis-ethylenedioxythiophene exhibits high analog switching range of 170 x, two orders of magnitude higher than that of normal organic neuromorphic devices. They also demonstrate excellent memory retention of over 5 x 10(3) s, low switching energy of 13 fJ, and ultrahigh operational stability with 99% of its original current after 100 000 write-read events in air. Furthermore, the high viability of strong donor strategy is showcased by demonstrating flexible TOSTs with stable synaptic function after repeated mechanical bending as well as organic synapses capable of simulating image information processing. Overall, this work highlights the advantages of the strong donor functionalization strategy to boost the synaptic performance and device stability of TOSTs.

Automated summary

This study reports two new types of organic synaptic devices that improve upon the shortcomings of conventional organic synapses and demonstrate highly tunable resistive states. The results show that enhancing the electron-donating strength of donor units significantly improves the synaptic function and device stability. Furthermore, the strong donor strategy used in this study has been shown to be highly adaptable and performs well in flexible devices and image information processing.