Polythiophene‐based materials for nonvolatile polymeric memory devices

Polymeric materials used in memory devices have attracted significant scientific interest due to their several advantages, such as low cost, solution processability, and possible development of three‐dimensional stacking devices. Polythiophenes, including tethered alkyl substituted polythiophenes and block copolymers, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and composites, are one of the most attractive polymeric systems for memory applications because of their commercial availability, high conductivity, and mechanical strength. In this article, recent studies of functional polythiophene for memory applications are reviewed, mostly focusing on the role of the materials in the memory functionality, optimizing the chemical structure of the polythiophene and the component of each layer in memory device. A critical summary of the proposed mechanisms, including filament formation, electric field‐induced charge transfer and reduction‐oxidation (redox) driven, is given to explain the resistive switching phenomena in the polythiophene system. In addition, the challenges facing the research and development in the field of polythiophene electronic memories are summarized. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2470–2488, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers