Reliable Memristive Synapses Based on Parylene-MoOx Nanocomposites for Neuromorphic Applications

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023 Nov 29;15(47):54996-55008. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c13956. Epub 2023 Nov 14.

Abstract

Memristive devices, known for their nonvolatile resistive switching, are promising components for next-generation neuromorphic computing systems, which mimic the brain's neural architecture. Specifically, these devices are well-suited for functioning as artificial synapses due to their analogue tunability and low energy consumption. However, the improvement of their performance and reliability remains a pressing challenge. In this study, we report the development and comprehensive characterization of memristive devices based on a parylene-MoOx (PPX-Mo) nanocomposite layer, which exhibit improved characteristics over their parylene-based counterparts: lower switching voltage and energy, smaller dispersion, and better resistive plasticity. A robust statistical analysis identified the optimal synthesis parameters for these devices, providing valuable insights for future device optimization. The most probable resistive switching mechanism of the devices is proposed. By successfully integrating these memristors into a neuromorphic computing model and showcasing their scalability in crossbar geometry, we demonstrate their potential as functional artificial synapses. The results obtained from this study can be useful for the development of hardware-brain-inspired computational systems.

Keywords: hardware neural networks; memristors; molybdenum oxide; nanocomposites; neuromorphic systems; parylene; resistive switching.