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DNA-Condensed Plasmonic Supraballs Transparent to Molecules
Nuo Chen1, Yueliang Wang1, Zhaoxiang Deng1
1Center for Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 19, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel DNA condensation method to create programmable plasmonic nanoassemblies. This technique enables tunable properties and diverse applications beyond traditional DNA-based nanotechnology.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- DNA nanotechnology enables programmable plasmonic nanoassemblies via Watson-Crick basepairing.
- Constructing rigid, 3D supracolloidal assemblies with strong electromagnetic coupling and defined shapes remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an alternative strategy for creating rigidified 3D plasmonic nanoassemblies using DNA condensation.
- To explore the governing principles and tailorable properties of these novel supraparticles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized DNA-grafted gold nanoparticles as building blocks.
- Employed metal ions with phosphate affinities as abiological DNA-bonding agents to induce DNA condensation.
- Investigated kinetic and thermodynamic effects of electrostatic and coordinative forces.
Main Results:
- Achieved seedless growth of spheroidal supraparticles (supraballs) via metal-ion-induced DNA condensation.
- Demonstrated tailorable supraball properties by adjusting DNA graft ratios and gold core layers.
- Reported enhanced plasmon coupling, tunable hotspots, chemical reversibility, stability, permeability, and antifouling properties.
Conclusions:
- The DNA condensation strategy offers a new route to programmable plasmonic meta-assemblies.
- These supraballs exhibit unique properties suitable for advanced applications like Raman enhancement and photocatalysis.
- This method provides an alternative to DNA-basepaired assemblies with enhanced functionality.
