DNA Linker Mediated Crystallization of Nanocolloids
POSTER
Abstract
Biofunctionalized nanocolloids offer a promising platform for creation of novel materials using bio-addressable interactions. Crystalline phases are of especial interest for the development of novel functional structures. We demonstrate that crystallization of nanocolloids can be achieved via hybridization of dispersed non-complementary single stranded DNA capped colloids with flexible single-stranded linker DNA. The crystalline structure belongs to body central cubic lattice and exhibits large thermal expansion. The evolution of the structure has been studied in details using in-situ small angle x-ray scattering. The formation of crystalline structures and reduced metastability are observed for systems with longer DNA linkers.
*Research carried out at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials and the National Synchrotron Light Source, was supported by the U. S. DOE Office of Science and Office of Basic Energy Sciences.