A Scalable Artificial Neuron Based on Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Titanium Oxide

ACS Nano. 2021 Sep 28;15(9):15123-15131. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05565. Epub 2021 Sep 17.

Abstract

A spiking neural network consists of artificial synapses and neurons and may realize human-level intelligence. Unlike the widely reported artificial synapses, the fabrication of large-scale artificial neurons with good performance is still challenging due to the lack of a suitable material system and integration method. Here, we report an ultrathin (less than10 nm) and inch-size two-dimensional (2D) oxide-based artificial neuron system produced by a controllable assembly of solution-processed 2D monolayer TiOx nanosheets. Artificial neuron devices based on such 2D TiOx films show a high on/off ratio of 109 and a volatile resistance switching phenomenon. The devices can not only emulate the leaky integrate-and-fire activity but also self-recover without additional circuits for sensing and reset. Moreover, the artificial neuron arrays are fabricated and exhibited good uniformity, indicating their large-area integration potential. Our results offer a strategy for fabricating large-scale and ultrathin 2D material-based artificial neurons and 2D spiking neural networks.

Keywords: 2D materials; Langmuir−Blodgett assembly; artificial neuron; leaky integrate-and-fire; spiking neural network; titanium oxide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Neural Networks, Computer*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Titanium

Substances

  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium