Photosynthesis of 1D Prussian blue nanowires by using DNA templates

1D PB nanowires with good electrochemical activities have been prepared by using DNA molecules as the templates. By using the photosynthesis method, PB nanowires were successfully synthesized in solution and on smooth surface, respectively. The PB nanowires are made of many connected spherical PB nanoparticles with the average diameter of about 10 nm at a relative short UV radiation time. Upon increasing the reaction time, the PB nanoparticles grow into zigzag nanowires, and finally form a network of long chain structures. The morphologies and properties of the PB nanomaterials were characterized by using TEM, IR, UV-vis measurements. In addition, the resultant PB nanowires have good electrochemical activities in comparing with the PB nanoparticles prepared without DNA templates. The present easy method could be interesting for the construction of electrochromic and biosensing devices.