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DNA-directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles

DNA-directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles
DNA-directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles
In the last two decades, inorganic nanoparticles have become an active field of research due to their unique physical properties. The advancements in the control over size, shape and composition opened up many potential applications in a wide range of fields from optoelectronics to medicine. A lot of research focusses on the controlled assembly of nanoparticles into larger pre-defined structures. A very successful approach uses DNA-functionalised nanoparticles as building blocks, which are capable of self-assembly driven by the DNA design. Such nanoparticle assemblies can infer new optical properties like circular dichroism or make multi-functional materials for advanced applications.

In this work, a novel tool for the ligation of nanoparticle assemblies with DNA is presented. The UV-responsive molecule 3-cyanovinyl carbazole was embedded in DNA strands as a crosslinker for the covalent linkage of dsDNA. The covalent bond significantly increases the stability of dsDNA even in unfavourable conditions allowing a wider range of applicability. Unlike with other crosslinking techniques, already formed interstrand bonds can be reversed with UV-B light as an external stimulus. The efficient application of 3-cyanovinyl carbazole in tetrahedral gold nanoparticle assemblies is demonstrated for the first time. In addition, limitations of the strain-promoted azide-alkyne click reaction in the same system are revealed.

DNA-directed hetero-assemblies consisting of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and upconversion nanoparticles are presented. The results suggest that energy transfer from excited upconversion nanoparticles to quantum dots occurs upon self-assembly with short oligonucleotides. This example shows the potential of using DNA-based assembly as a general technique for creating novel materials helping to gain a fundamental understanding about nanoparticle interactions.

In addition, lead halide perovskite nanoparticles are introduced. A modified synthesis protocol is demonstrated, which significantly increases the processability of such nanoparticles.
Harimech, Pascal
0308287c-dda9-4b8d-b605-885f85f180e1
Harimech, Pascal
0308287c-dda9-4b8d-b605-885f85f180e1
Kanaras, Antonios
667ecfdc-7647-4bd8-be03-a47bf32504c7

Harimech, Pascal (2016) DNA-directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles. University of Southampton, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, Doctoral Thesis, 224pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

In the last two decades, inorganic nanoparticles have become an active field of research due to their unique physical properties. The advancements in the control over size, shape and composition opened up many potential applications in a wide range of fields from optoelectronics to medicine. A lot of research focusses on the controlled assembly of nanoparticles into larger pre-defined structures. A very successful approach uses DNA-functionalised nanoparticles as building blocks, which are capable of self-assembly driven by the DNA design. Such nanoparticle assemblies can infer new optical properties like circular dichroism or make multi-functional materials for advanced applications.

In this work, a novel tool for the ligation of nanoparticle assemblies with DNA is presented. The UV-responsive molecule 3-cyanovinyl carbazole was embedded in DNA strands as a crosslinker for the covalent linkage of dsDNA. The covalent bond significantly increases the stability of dsDNA even in unfavourable conditions allowing a wider range of applicability. Unlike with other crosslinking techniques, already formed interstrand bonds can be reversed with UV-B light as an external stimulus. The efficient application of 3-cyanovinyl carbazole in tetrahedral gold nanoparticle assemblies is demonstrated for the first time. In addition, limitations of the strain-promoted azide-alkyne click reaction in the same system are revealed.

DNA-directed hetero-assemblies consisting of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and upconversion nanoparticles are presented. The results suggest that energy transfer from excited upconversion nanoparticles to quantum dots occurs upon self-assembly with short oligonucleotides. This example shows the potential of using DNA-based assembly as a general technique for creating novel materials helping to gain a fundamental understanding about nanoparticle interactions.

In addition, lead halide perovskite nanoparticles are introduced. A modified synthesis protocol is demonstrated, which significantly increases the processability of such nanoparticles.

Text
Final thesis-3.pdf - Other
Available under License University of Southampton Thesis Licence.
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More information

Published date: June 2016
Organisations: University of Southampton, Physics & Astronomy

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 400095
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/400095
PURE UUID: 5257f0c2-855b-4028-948c-eef094d75abe
ORCID for Antonios Kanaras: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9847-6706

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 26 Oct 2016 15:28
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:29

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Contributors

Author: Pascal Harimech
Thesis advisor: Antonios Kanaras ORCID iD

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