Fabricating and aligning pi-conjugated polymer-functionalized DNA nanowires: atomic force microscopic and scanning near-field optical microscopic studies

Langmuir. 2005 Aug 16;21(17):7945-50. doi: 10.1021/la050145p.

Abstract

We report a simple method to functionalize DNA with pi-conjugated polymer, forming highly aligned and integrated arrays of pi-conjugated polymer nanowires of a few nanometers diameter. pi-conjugated polymer, polyphenazasiline, having alkylammonium salts on the N atom (PPhenaz-TMA), synthesized in this study can be directly attached to DNA, which can be organized along stretched and aligned DNA molecules on surfaces as a template. Furthermore, PPhenaz-TMA/DNA nanowires were stretched and aligned on surfaces, even when PPhenaz-TMA/DNA complexes formed in solutions. The resulting PPhenaz-TMA/DNA nanowires could be easily converted to oxidized states or metallic nanowires by using adequate oxidant or metal salts. The direct visualization of PPhenaz-TMA/DNA nanowires and its structural changes have been studied by atomic force microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / analysis*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spectrum Analysis / methods*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Polymers
  • DNA