The Effect of Various Surface Functionalizations of Core-Shell Nanoactuators on Magnetoelectrically Driven Cell...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Magnetoelectric (ME) nanoparticles (NPs) couple magnetic and electric properties for electromagnetic stimulation in biomedical applications.
• Surface functionalization impacts ME NP properties and biological responses, an area needing further exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the surface functionalization of ME core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) using biocompatible citric acid (CA) and pectin (PEC).
• To evaluate the impact of CA and PEC functionalization on the structure, physical properties, and biological activity of MnFe2O4@Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (MFO@BCZT) NPs.
• To assess the potential of these functionalized NPs for noninvasive control of cell behavior.

Main Methods:

• Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of quasi-spherical MFO@BCZT core-shell NPs.
• Surface functionalization using citric acid (CA) and pectin (PEC).
• Characterization of NP structure, physical properties (magnetic, ferroelectric, piezoresponse), and ME response.
• In vitro assays to evaluate calcium flux control and cell proliferation regulation.

Main Results:

• Successful functionalization of MFO@BCZT NPs with CA and PEC, forming covalent bonds via chelation.
• PEC functionalization significantly increased zeta potential (-46.2 ± 0.6 mV) compared to CA (25.3 ± 1.0 mV).
• Functionalized NPs exhibited low coercivity, pronounced specific saturation magnetization, and retained ferroelectric behavior with robust piezoresponse and high ME response comparable to Co-based analogs.
• In vitro studies demonstrated the ability of CA-/PEC-functionalized NPs to control calcium flux and bidirectionally regulate cell proliferation.

Conclusions:

• Citric acid and pectin are effective biocompatible agents for functionalizing MFO@BCZT ME NPs.
• Surface functionalization enhances NP properties and enables noninvasive, targeted control of cellular processes like proliferation via calcium flux modulation.
• Developed ME NPs hold significant promise for advanced biomedical applications requiring precise, wireless control of biological functions.