Dynamic Molecular Switches Drive Negative Memristance Mimicking Synaptic Behavior

To realize molecular scale electrical operations beyond the von Neumann bottleneck, new types of multi-functional switches are needed that mimic self-learning or neuromorphic computing by dynamically toggling between multiple operations that depend on their past. Here we report a molecule that switches from high to low conductance states with massive negative memristive behavior that depends on the drive speed and the number of past switching events. This dynamic molecular switch emulates synaptic behavior and Pavlovian learning and can provide all of the fundamental logic gates because of its time-domain and voltage-dependent plasticity. This multi-functional switch represents molecular scale hardware operable in solid-state devices opening a pathway to dynamic complex electrical operations encoded within a single ultra-compact component.