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Journal of Applied PhysicsVolume 118, Issue 7, 21 August 2015, Article number 072007

Local piezoresponse and polarization switching in nucleobase thymine microcrystals(Article)(Open Access)

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  • aDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
  • bDepartamento 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
  • cSchool of Physics, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
  • dConway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
  • eDepartment of Physics, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
  • fInstitute of Mathematical Problems of Biology, Puschino, Moscow District, Russian Federation
  • gInstitute of Natural Sciences, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation

Abstract

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.

Indexed keywords

Engineering controlled terms:CrystallographyDNAElectric fieldsFerroelectric materialsFerroelectricityHydrogen bondsMicrocrystalsOptical switchesPiezoelectricityPolarizationScanning probe microscopy
Engineering uncontrolled termsDNA moleculesElectromechanical activityElectromechanical measurementsExternal electric fieldNucleic acid structurePiezoresponse force microscopyPolarization switchingSwitchability
Engineering main heading:Nucleic acids

Funding details

Funding sponsor Funding number Acronym
Seventh Framework Programme290158FP7
  • ISSN: 00218979
  • CODEN: JAPIA
  • Source Type: Journal
  • Original language: English
  • DOI: 10.1063/1.4927806
  • Document Type: Article
  • Publisher: American Institute of Physics Inc.

  Bdikin, I.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Mechanical Technology and Automation, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal;
© Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Cited by 12 documents

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(2023) Biopolymers: Synthesis, Properties, and Emerging Applications
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