Resistive Switching Property of Euforbia Cotinifolia Plant Extract for Potential Use in Eco-Friendly Memory Devices

Abstract

Resistive switching memory devices based on organic materials are intriguing. These devices are biodegradable and nontoxic to living organisms. In this work, using euphorbia cotinifolia plant extract was investigated for its applicability as an active layer of a resistive switching memory device consisting of silver top electrode and indium-doped tin oxide bottom electrode. This study selected Euphorbia cotinifolia because it is a common, prolific and simple-to-grow plant in many South African homes. When the euphorbia cotinifolia plant is broken, an extract resembling milk is emitted. This extract was collected directly onto the bottom electrode, which was then dried at ambient temperature. For top electrode, silver paste was applied. The entire fabrication process was devoid of heat and electricity. The fabricated device showed impressive properties such as memory hysteresis with $\mathrm{\text{ON/OFF}}=5$, endurance of over $32$ write/erase cycles, and an impressive retention of $\ge 10^3\mathrm{\text{s}}$. Therefore, this system may be a candidate for a nonvolatile and disposable memory device.