Real-time storage of thermal signals in organic memory with floating core–shell nanoparticles

Abstract

Multi-functional devices have become progressively attractive in integrated complex systems. Real-time storage of thermal signals in organic memory has been achieved with micro-contact printed core–shell nanoparticles floating on plastic substrates. Herein, a micro-contact printed Au core Pd shell (Au@Pd) bimetal nanoparticle monolayer is designed as the charge trapping layer in a self-encapsulated top-gated memory device. The thermal memory device exhibits a low working voltage of <−5 V, data retention time of >10⁵ s, stable endurance characteristics over more than 10³ repeated program/erase cycles and good mechanical properties during bending cycling tests. The memory properties under various thermal signals are carefully analyzed, and it is found that the devices also show reliable retention capability of pulse thermal signals. Our findings not only demonstrate top-gated flexible organic transistor based devices to sense various environmental thermal signals, but also confirm their applications for the real-time storage of temperature sensing signals as well as more complex thermal related integrated circuits.