Self-assembly of multiferroic core-shell composites using DNA functionalized nanoparticles

Ferrite-ferroelectric core-shell nanoparticles were prepared by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) assisted self-assembly and the strained mediated magneto-electric (ME) interactions between the ferroic phases were studied. The nanoparticle type and size were varied and the DNA linker sequence was also varied. Two kinds of particles, one with 600 nm barium titanate (BTO) core and 200 nm nickel ferrite (NFO) shell and another with 200 nm BTO core and 50 nm nickel cobalt ferrite (NCFO) shell were prepared. The particles were linked by three different oligomeric DNA containing 19, 18 or 30 base pairs. The core-shell structure was evident from electron microscopy and scanning microwave microscopy images. Films and disks of the core-shell particles were assembled in a magnetic field and used for measurements of low frequency ME voltage coefficient (MEVC) and magnet-dielectric effect. The MEVC data on films indicate that particles assembled with DNA with 30 base pairs exhibit the strongest ME coupling suggesting a more fully integrated heterogenous nanocomposite and the weakest interaction for DNA with 18 base pairs. These results indicate that the longer linker region in DNA is the key factor for forming better composites. This result may be due to the irregular shape of the nanoparticles. Longer DNA strands would be able to bridge better generating more linkages. Shorter strands would not able to bridge the irregularly shaped particles as well and therefore result in linkages and less heterogeneity in the composites.