Local piezoresponse and polarization switching in nucleobase thymine microcrystals
Por:
Bdikin I., Heredia A., Neumayer S.M., Bystrov V.S., Gracio J., Rodriguez B.J., Kholkin A.L.
Publicada:
21 ago 2015
Categoría:
Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
Resumen:
Thymine (2-oxy-4-oxy-5 methyl pyrimidine) is one of the four nucleobases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). In the DNA molecule, thymine binds to adenine via two hydrogen bonds, thus stabilizing the nucleic acid structure and is involved in pairing and replication. Here, we show that synthetic thymine microcrystals grown from the solution exhibit local piezoelectricity and apparent ferroelectricity, as evidenced by nanoscale electromechanical measurements via Piezoresponse Force Microscopy. Our experimental results demonstrate significant electromechanical activity and polarization switchability of thymine, thus opening a pathway for piezoelectric and ferroelectric-based applications of thymine and, perhaps, of other DNA nucleobase materials. The results are supported by molecular modeling of polarization switching under an external electric field. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
Filiaciones:
Bdikin I.:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
Heredia A.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Ciencias Nucl, Dept Quim Radiac & Radioquim, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
Departamento de Química de Radiaciones y Radioquímica, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior C.U. Apdo. Postal 70-543, México, D.F., 04510, Mexico
Neumayer S.M.:
School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Bystrov V.S.:
Department of Physics, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
Institute of Mathematical Problems of Biology, Puschino, Moscow District, Russian Federation
Gracio J.:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
Rodriguez B.J.:
School of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Kholkin A.L.:
Department of Physics, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
Institute of Natural Sciences, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation
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