Control of the neuromorphic learning behavior based on the aggregation of thiol-protected Ag-Ag2S core-shell nanoparticles

Abstract

The neuromorphic learning switching behavior was investigated in electric devices that were constructed based on the aggregation of thiol-stabilized Ag/Ag2S core-shell nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were synthesized using the two-phase modified Brust-Schiffrin procedure and exhibited Ag-S and Ag-S-R bonding states at the surfaces of Ag NPs. The memristive behavior of such a device at room temperature under ambient pressure, which can be used to emulate the functions of biological synapses with long and short memories, is achieved. The importance of the Ag2S and the thiol layer at the surface of Ag NPs for the demonstration of learning behavior, such as the potentiation and depression of synapses in the human brain is explained.