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 nanotransducers for magneticbased brain stimulation. We examined the effects of changing the core-to-shell ratio in cobalt ferrite – barium titanate (CoFe2O4@BaTiO3) MENPs on their magnetic properties, and then we tested their performance in stimulating neurons in vitro. The nanoparticles with the highest anisotropy core and lowest core-to-shell ratio were the most effective at activating neurons.