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This study investigates the modulation of Li+ ion transport rates in double-gated van der Waals devices, revealing that ionic current can be controlled without altering the ionic-density states. By measuring the ionic current at the interface of hexagonal boron nitride with graphene or MoS2, the authors observe significant hysteresis and distinct plateaus corresponding to ionic-density states, controlled by an electrochemical potential drop. The devices demonstrate robust performance with over 1,000 switching cycles and high ON/OFF ratios, indicating their potential for advanced logic operations and memory applications in energy storage and ion-based computing.
Ion transport can be finely tuned in two dimensions, enabling hybrid devices that outperform traditional single-dimensional control methods.
Ion transport in crystalline hosts is controlled by an applied potential that simultaneously sets ionic distribution and transport rate, restricting operation to a one-dimensional control space. Here we show that the transport rate of Li+ ions in double-gated van der Waals devices can be modulated while the system occupies fixed ionic-density states. We measure the ionic current along the van der Waals interface between hexagonal boron nitride and graphene or MoS2 while simultaneously monitoring the in-plane electronic response. The ionic current exhibits pronounced hysteresis, with plateaus marking discrete ionic-density states balanced by electronic charge, while an independently tuneable electrochemical-potential drop controls the ionic transport rate. The devices sustain over 1,000 switching cycles and function as hybrid ionic-electronic transistors capable of logic operations and memory retention, with ON/OFF ratios exceeding two orders of magnitude. This work demonstrates a two-dimensional control space for ion transport in layered materials, opening new operating regimes for energy storage and ion-based computing.
