CHAPTER 5: Nonconjugated Polymers with Electroactive Chromophore Pendants

Recently, polymers have attracted significant attention because their dimensions can easily be miniaturized and their properties can easily be tailored through chemical synthesis, which are critical advantages over inorganic silicon- and metal-oxide-based materials for memory device applications. In this chapter, the recent development of nonconjugated polymers with electroactive chromophore pendants is reviewed. Their memory mode and performance are discussed with insights into their switching mechanisms. Many p-type polymers have been reported in the literature whereas n-type polymers are rare. Thus, there is a need to put more effort into developing high performance n-type memory polymers. In addition, it is noted that understanding the detailed relationships between chemical and morphological structures, electrical memory mode, and performance remains an urgent challenge to the progress of developing higher memory performance polymers.