Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 January 2018
Memristors represent an intriguing two-terminal device strategy potentially able to replace conventional memory devices as well as to support neuromorphic computing architectures. Here, we present the resistive switching behaviour of the sustainable and low-cost biopolymer chitosan, which can be extracted from natural chitin present for instance in crab exoskeletons. The biopolymer films were doped with Ag ions in varying concentrations and sandwiched between a bottom electrode such as fluorinated-tin-oxide and a silver top electrode. Silver-doped devices showed an overall promising resistive switching behaviour for doping concentrations between 0.5 to 1 wt% AgNO3. As bottom electrode fluorinated-tin-oxide, nickel, silver and titanium were studied and multiple write and erase cycles were recorded. However, the overall reproducibility and stability are still insufficient to support broader applicability.