Magnetic Properties of Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles with Varying Core-Shell Ratios and Their Effects on In Vitro Neuron Stimulation

Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) convert magnetic fields into localized electric fields, using a core-shell nanostructure based on a magnetostrictive core and piezoelectric shell. These nanoparticles can serve as biocompatible wireless nanoelectrodes for magnet-brain stimulation, with their magnetic coercivity field used as an "On/Off" local stimulation switch deep in the brain. We examined the effects of changing the core-to-shell ratio in cobalt ferrite - barium titanate (CoFe ₂ O ₄ @BaTiO ₃ ) MENPs on their magnetic properties, and then tested their performance in stimulating neurons in vitro . The nanoparticles with the highest anisotropy and lowest core-to-shell ratio were the most effective at activating neurons.