ZnO _{1- x} nanorod arrays/ZnO thin film bilayer structure: From homojunction diode and high-performance memristor to complementary 1D1R application

We present a ZnO _1-x nanorod array (NR)/ZnO thin film (TF) bilayer structure synthesized at a low temperature, exhibiting a uniquely rectifying characteristic as a homojunction diode and a resistive switching behavior as memory at different biases. The homojunction diode is due to asymmetric Schottky barriers at interfaces of the Pt/ZnO NRs and the ZnO TF/Pt, respectively. The ZnO _1-x NRs/ZnO TF bilayer structure also shows an excellent resistive switching behavior, including a reduced operation power and enhanced performances resulting from supplements of confined oxygen vacancies by the ZnO _1-x NRs for rupture and recovery of conducting filaments inside the ZnO TF layer. A hydrophobic behavior with a contact angle of ∼125° can be found on the ZnO _1-x NRs/ZnO TF bilayer structure, demonstrating a self-cleaning effect. Finally, a successful demonstration of complementary 1D1R configurations can be achieved by simply connecting two identical devices back to back in series, realizing the possibility of a low-temperature all-ZnO-based memory system.