Tunable synaptic memory response using organic regioisomeric donor-acceptor-donor luminophore triads.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Electronics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Biological learning and memory are complex processes.
• Small molecular compounds offer a simplified model for studying synaptic functions.
• Organic semiconductors are promising for neuromorphic computing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize novel regioisomeric donor-acceptor-donor (DAD) fluorophores.
• To investigate the impact of substitution on molecular conjugation and optoelectronic properties.
• To evaluate the performance of these DAD fluorophores in optoelectronic synaptic memory devices.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of novel DAD fluorophores.
• Photophysical characterization including luminescence and lifetime measurements.
• X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculations for structure-property elucidation.
• Fabrication and testing of two-terminal organic synaptic memory devices.

Main Results:

• Substitution-dependent solid-state luminescence and varied lifetimes were observed.
• Regiochemistry significantly influences π-π interactions and molecular orbitals.
• Devices exhibited key neuromorphic functionalities like paired-pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation.
• Demonstrated structure-property relationships for multifunctional organic semiconductors.

Conclusions:

• Regioisomerism provides design guidelines for advanced organic semiconductors.
• These materials show potential for synaptic memory, solid-state lighting, sensing, and bioinspired computing.
• The study advances the development of controllable and tunable chemical systems for modeling biological processes.