Flexible and transparent resistive switching devices using Au nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide in polyvinyl alcohol matrix

•Mono-dispersed Au NPs decorated RGO sheet is prepared by one pot synthetic technique.•Bi-stable switching memory characteristic is observed in Au NPs-RGO:PVA device structure.•High on-off ratio (>103) is observed with a low operating voltages.•Good retention behavior is observed with the flexible devices.

We have investigated the resistive switching mechanism in solution processed Au-reduced graphene oxide-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites on flexible substrates. Monodispersed gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) attached to reduced graphene oxide (RGO) in aqueous PVA solution have been synthesized using a novel one pot technique. The fabricated hybrid device showed high On/Off switching ratio more than 103 with low operating voltages. The performance of hybrid device can be effectively enhanced over control RGO device. The switching mechanism occurs from the electrochemical reduction/oxidation process of partially reduced graphene oxide. The proposed devices reveal superior asymmetric bipolar resistive switching characteristics attractive for solution processable flexible and transparent non-volatile memory applications.

Graphical abstractFlexible and transparent memory with high on/off ratio and low operating voltages has been demonstrated using gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide in aqueous polyvinyl alcohol.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide