Electric field modulated magnetic properties by strain transfer in nanocluster-assembled magnetoelectric heterostructures

Electric field control of magnetic properties in nanomaterials holds a significant prospect for high-density magnetic storage and sensors. Here, we demonstrate efficient electric field modulation of magnetic properties in nanocluster-assembled Ni0.74Co0.26/PMN-PT magnetoelectric heterostructures. Under the magnetic field of −44 Oe, electric field-induced tensile strain enhances the magnetization by 17.13% and shifts the coercive field by 10.3%. A key breakthrough resides in establishing the particle size dependence of electrical modulation. The critical size of 16.39 nm guarantees the optimal strain transfer under electric fields, where surface and bulk effects reach dynamic equilibrium. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations firmly confirm that the magnetic property regulation by electric fields in nanocluster-assembled magnetoelectric heterostructures is via strain-mediated magnetic domain evolution. The sensitivity of the nanocluster size on the electrical control in cluster-assembled films advances the fundamental understanding and device applications for the converse magnetoelectric effect.