ATP as building blocks for the self-assembly of excitonic nanowires

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Feb 9;127(5):1358-9. doi: 10.1021/ja043844h.

Abstract

Supramolecular nanowires are specifically self-assembled from adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and dichloro-substituted thiacarbocyanine dyes. Spectral blue-shift and induced circular dichroism with exciton coupling are observed upon mixing the dye and ATP molecules in water. These observations indicate the formation of chiral 1/ATP supramolecular assemblies with excitation energy delocalized in the parallel-oriented (H-aggregated) chromophores. Interestingly, formation of H-aggregates is facilitated most in the presence of ATP and not by other nucleotides (ADP or AMP). In electron microscopy, aqueous 1/ATP mixture gives developed nanowires with a minimum width of ca. 10 nm and lengths of several micrometers. The ATP-directed nanowires exhibit reversible thermal self-assembly accompanied by supramolecular thermochromism. This is the first example of ATP-based supramolecular nanoassemblies, and the use of small biomolecules as building blocks for functional supermolecules provides a new perspective in the design of bio-nanomaterials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanotechnology / methods*

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate