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Iterative Optimization of DNA Duplexes for Crystallization of SeqA-DNA Complexes
Published on: November 1, 2012
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Oligonucleotide flexibility dictates crystal quality in DNA-programmable nanoparticle superlattices
Andrew J Senesi1, Daniel J Eichelsdoerfer, Keith A Brown
1Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA; X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|September 23, 2014
Summary
DNA-mediated nanoparticle superlattices show size and strain changes based on annealing and bond flexibility. This research enables large nanoparticle crystallization for optical metamaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Synthesizing optical metamaterials with noble metal nanoparticles presents challenges.
- Controlling nanoparticle superlattice structure is crucial for material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing crystallite size and microstrain in DNA-mediated nanoparticle superlattices.
- To enable the synthesis of large nanoparticle (100 nm) superlattices at high volume fractions for optical metamaterial applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing DNA as a linker to mediate nanoparticle assembly.
- Controlling annealing temperature and interparticle bond flexibility.
- Characterizing superlattice structure, crystallite size, and microstrain.
Main Results:
- Crystallite size and microstrain are dictated by annealing temperature and interparticle bond flexibility.
- Successful crystallization of 100 nm noble metal nanoparticles at 34% metal volume fraction.
- Demonstrated a pathway for large nanoparticle superlattice formation.
Conclusions:
- Annealing temperature and bond flexibility are key parameters for controlling nanoparticle superlattice evolution.
- The developed method overcomes challenges in synthesizing large nanoparticle superlattices.
- This work facilitates the creation of advanced optical metamaterials.
