Facile fabrication of complex networks of memristive devices

We describe the memristive properties of cluster-assembled gold films. We show that resistive switching is observed in pure metallic nanostructured films at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, in response to applied voltage inputs. In particular, we observe resistance changes up to 400% and archetypal switching events that have remarkable symmetry with the applied voltage. We associated this symmetry with ‘potentiation’ and ‘anti-potentiation’ processes involving the activation of synapses and of pathways comprising multiple synapses. The stability and reproducibility of the resistance switching, which lasted over many hours, make these devices ideal test-beds for exploration of the basic mechanisms of the switching processes, and allow convenient fabrication of devices that may have neuromorphic properties.