Multifunctional behavior of molecules comprising stacked cytosine–AgI–cytosine base pairs; towards conducting and photoluminescence silver-DNA nanowires
- Journal: Chemical Science
- Published Year: 2019
- Authors: Fátima Linares, Emilio García-Fernández, F. Javier López-Garzón, María Domingo-García, Angel Orte, Antonio Rodríguez-Diéguez, Miguel A. Galindo
- Application: Molecular Nanoelectronics, biotechnology, biosensing, bioelectronics
Summary
In this study, researchers created nanoscale silver–cytosine chains that mimic the structure of DNA. After forming the structures, they used a non-contact atomic force microscope (AFM, Park NX20) to visualize their size and shape on surfaces like mica and silicon. Following a gentle plasma treatment that turned silver ions into metallic silver, AFM techniques—including conductive AFM—showed that the structures retained their shape and became electrically conductive. AFM was essential in confirming both the structural integrity and electronic enhancement of these tiny, wire-like materials.
