Programmable memristors with two-dimensional nanofluidic channels

Nanofluidic memristors, obtained by confining aqueous salt electrolyte within nanoscale channels, offer low energy consumption and the ability to mimic biological learning. Theoretically, four different types of memristors are possible, differentiated by their hysteresis loop direction. Here, we show that by varying electrolyte composition, pH, applied voltage frequency, channel material and height, all four memristor types can emerge in nanofluidic systems. We observed two hitherto unidentified memristor types in 2D nanochannels and investigated their molecular origins. A minimal mathematical model incorporating ion–ion interactions, surface charge, and channel entrance depletion successfully reproduces the observed memristive behaviors. We further investigate the impact of temperature on ionic mobility and memristors characteristics. In this work, we show that the channels display both volatile and non-volatile memory, including short-term depression akin to synapses, with signal recovery over time. These results suggest that nanofluidic devices may enable new neuromorphic architectures for pattern recognition and adaptive information processing.