DNA Directed Self-Assembly of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes into Three-Way Junction Nanostructures

Utilization of a self-assembled two-dimensional DNA nanostructure to arrange single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) into predetermined structures at controllable angles is presented. A specially designed DNA three-way junction (3WJ) composed of three double-stranded DNA arms containing single-stranded overhang sequences was prepared by annealing of partially complementary ssDNA sequences and ultrasonicated with SWNTs, resulting in DNA-3WJ/SWNT hybrid nanostructures. Utilization of DNA-3WJ not only allowed the precise dispersion of SWNTs but also acted as a rigid template for the self-assembly of SWNTs into three-armed junctions at an angle of approximately 120° to each other as visualized by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Prepared DNA-3WJ/SWNT nanostructures were also demonstrated to have the appropriate binding sites for fluorophores, providing a simple method for the fluorescent labeling of SWNTs. When ssDNA sequences forming the DNA-3WJ are ultrasonicated with SWNTs, followed by annealing of resulting ssDNA wrapped SWNTs, instead of hybrid junctions composed of three SWNT molecules, a web-like structure composed of interconnected SWNT junctions was obtained. The design approaches demonstrated here provide simple methods for the arrangement of SWNTs into desired nanostructures utilizing pre-assembled DNA nanostructures as linkers in aqueous solution through noncovalent interactions which can greatly contribute to efforts along the controlled assembly of SWNTs.