Nanoparticle Arrays: Biotemplated Magnetic Nanoparticle Arrays (Small 2/2012)

A biomineralization protein from magnetotactic bacteria (Mms6) used to control both the formation and location of magnetic nanoparticles in a patterned array. Mms6 immobilized on a patterned surface templates high-quality, crystalline magnetite particles with a narrow grainsize distribution and consistent magnetic behavior under relatively mild conditions. These particles are ferrimagnetic and may be exchange-coupled on the surface, forming multiparticle attraction/repulsion zones. The biomineralization of nanomaterials in patterned arrays on surfaces using various specific proteins and peptides with templating ability could be used as a more environmentally friendly methodology to develop micro- and nanoscale devices.