Epitaxial inversion on ferromagnetic (Fe,Zn)3O4 /ferroelectric BiFeO3 core-shell nanodot arrays using three dimensional nano-seeding assembly

We demonstrate an advanced fabrication method based on standard surface diffusion theory for preparation of core-shell nano-heterostructure arrays consisting of ferromagnetic (Fe,Zn)3O4 (FZO) and ferroelectric BiFeO3 (BFO) using a 3D nano-seeding-assembly technique. By adapting epitaxial spinel FZO nanodot arrays on a perovskite SrTiO3 substrate to templates, well-positioned selective epitaxial growth of FZO cores and BFO shells was spontaneously stimulated. This technique resolves the longstanding issues of the precise positional alignment and configuration inversion of materials that conventional self-assembly growth has faced.