DNA-Mold Templated Assembly of Conductive Gold Nanowires

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

We introduce a new concept for the solution-based fabrication of conductive gold nanowires using DNA templates. To this end, we employ DNA nanomolds, inside which electroless gold deposition is initiated by site-specific attached seeds. Using programmable interfaces, individual molds self-assemble into micrometer-long mold superstructures. During subsequent internal gold deposition, the mold walls constrain the metal growth, such that highly homogeneous nanowires with 20-30 nm diameters are obtained. Wire contacting using electron-beam lithography and electrical conductance characterization at temperatures between 4.2 K and room temperature demonstrate that metallic conducting wires were produced, although for part of the wires, the conductance is limited by boundaries between gold grains. Using different mold designs, our synthesis scheme will, in the future, allow the fabrication of complex metal structures with programmable shapes.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2116-2123
Number of pages8
JournalNano letters
Volume18
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 14 Mar 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29482327