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DNA capping agent control of electron transfer from silver nanoparticles
Eden E L Tanner1, Stanislav V Sokolov, Neil P Young
1University of Oxford, Department of Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QZ, UK. richard.compton@chem.ox.ac.uk.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|April 4, 2017
Summary
DNA-capped silver nanoparticles exhibit unique electrochemical behavior, with electron transfer occurring in two distinct potential ranges due to DNA
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in various applications.
- The surface capping agent significantly influences the electrochemical properties of nanoparticles.
- Understanding the interaction between capping agents and nanoparticle cores is crucial for controlling their behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To electrochemically investigate the behavior of silver nanoparticles capped with DNA and citrate.
- To elucidate the role of DNA as a capping agent in the electrochemical oxidation of silver nanoparticles.
- To compare the electrochemical response of DNA-capped AgNPs with citrate-capped AgNPs.
Main Methods:
- Stripping voltammetry was employed to study the electrochemical oxidation of silver nanoparticles.
- Nanoparticle impact electrochemistry was utilized to probe electron transfer mechanisms.
- Electrochemical potential was systematically varied to observe oxidation behavior.
Main Results:
- Citrate-capped silver nanoparticles were readily oxidized to silver cations at 0.7 V.
- DNA-capped silver nanoparticles showed electron transfer in two distinct potential ranges: -0.8 to 1.1 V and 1.125 to 1.2 V.
- Complete oxidation of DNA-capped AgNPs required potentials sufficient to oxidize both guanine and adenine bases.
Conclusions:
- DNA acts as a tunneling barrier, electrically insulating the silver nanoparticle core.
- The electrochemical oxidation of DNA-capped AgNPs is dependent on the oxidation potentials of DNA bases (guanine and adenine).
- Selective oxidation of DNA-capped silver nanoparticles can be achieved by controlling the applied electrochemical potential.
