Non‐volatile information storage using a molecular element comprising a proton‐conducting polymeric layer (PCL) and a proton‐trapping layer (PTL) is presented (see figure). Application of a positive voltage (write operation) to the top ion‐blocking electrode (IBE) allows dissociation of neutral (n) molecules into anions (−) and protons (+), motion and trapping (storage) of protons in the PTL. A negative voltage (erase operation) moves back the trapped protons to the anions.

Molecular materials containing tungsten polyoxometalates as the active elements embedded into polymer matrices are investigated as candidates for electronic device applications. The transport properties of these materials are investigated varying the interelectrode spacing and the polyoxometalate concentration. The I–V characteristics of planar devices reveal a conductivity peak at room temperature conditions for intermolecular distances less than 3 nm and electrode distances less than 100 nm. The transport characteristics are discussed in terms of tunneling mechanisms.

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Polyoxometalates are a class of well-defined metal oxygen clusters mostly known for their catalytic properties. However, their electronic and optical properties have been used in device applications such as electrochromic displays, dopants for conductive polymers, gas and chemical sensors, capacitors, and electrochemical cells. We fabricate nanodevices based on a composite poly(methyl methacrylate) H3SiW12O40 system and we investigate the effects of electrode material, electrode distance, and molecular concentration on the electronic transport characteristics. It is found that in the case of electrode distances smaller than 50 nm, tunneling effects appear, which are discussed using tunneling theory models. These effects are primarily dependent on the electrode distance and molecular concentration, and less on the electrode material.