Mechanism of Resistive Switching in 3, 4, 9, 10 Perylenetetracarboxylic Dianhydride (PTCDA) Sandwiched Between Metal Electrodes

Electrical-field-induced resistive transitions in thin films of perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride sandwiched between two metal electrodes, from an insulating state to a conducting state with a high ON-OFF ratio, have been studied. Temperature dependence of resistivity and scanning tunneling spectroscopic studies show insulating behavior in OFF state and metallic behavior in ON state. Devices with a thin intermediate layer of LiF between metal electrode and organic layer, or devices fabricated in planar configuration, do not show switching behavior. All these suggest that conducting pathways are responsible for the electric- field-induced conductance transition.