Programmable redox state of the nickel ion chain in DNA

Nano Lett. 2014 Feb 12;14(2):1026-31. doi: 10.1021/nl404601s. Epub 2014 Jan 23.

Abstract

DNA is a nanowire in nature which chelates Ni ions and forms a conducting chain in its base-pairs (Ni-DNA). Each Ni ion in Ni-DNA exhibits low (Ni(2+)) or high (Ni(3+)) oxidation state and can be switched sequentially by applying bias voltage with different polarities and writing times. The ratio of low and high oxidation states of Ni ions in Ni-DNA represents a programmable multistate memory system with an added capacitive component, in which multistate information can be written, read, and erased. This study also indicates that the biomolecule-based self-organized nanostructure can be used as a template for nanodevice fabrication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • DNA / ultrastructure
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electric Impedance
  • Electrodes*
  • Ions
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Nanowires / ultrastructure
  • Nickel / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygen / chemistry

Substances

  • Ions
  • Nickel
  • DNA
  • Oxygen