Resistive switching and impedance properties of soft nanocomposites based on Ag nanoparticles

Polymeric nanocomposites (NCs) containing Ag nanoparticles (NPs) feature interesting properties arising from the interaction between a confined metallic system, its surface and a viscoelastic matrix whose electronic properties range between a dielectric and an ionic conductor. They are currently exploited in a number of applications as electronic materials, among the others the most promising being high-K extrinsic dielectrics and resistive switching devices (RSDs). A large diffusivity through the polymeric network permits the displacement of Ag ions to sustain reversible electrochemical states that store information in impedance states. We present a detailed study showing how the interaction between polymeric matrix and dispersed NPs, thanks to its huge specific surface, influences the resistive switching and electrical impedance in view of an application as soft neuromorphic devices, going beyond the simple superposition of effects due to the pure matrix and the filler alone.