Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology applications of magnetoelectric nanoparticles.

Unlike any other nanoparticles known to date, magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) can generate relatively strong electric fields locally via the application of magnetic fields and, vice versa, have their magnetization change in response to an electric field from the microenvironment. Hence, MENPs can serve as a wireless two-way interface between man-made devices and physiological systems at the molecular level. With the recent development of room-temperature biocompatible MENPs, a number of novel potential medical applications have emerged.

Colossal Magnetoelectric Effect in Core-Shell Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles.

Magnetoelectric coefficient values of above 5 and 2 V cm Oe in 20 nm CoFeO-BaTiO and NiFeO-BaTiO core-shell magnetoelectric nanoparticles were demonstrated. These colossal values, compared to 0.1 V cm Oe commonly reported for the 0-3 system, are attributed to (i) the heterostructural lattice-matched interface between the magnetostrictive core and the piezoelectric shell, confirmed through transmission electron microscopy, and (ii) in situ scanning tunneling microscopy nanoprobe-based ME characterization.