Title: Fabrication of metal nanowires based on self assembly of tryptophan-capped gold nanoparticle onto DNA network template

Authors: Zahra Sheikholeslami, Manouchehr Vossoughi, Iran Alemzadeh

Addresses: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11365-6891 Tehran, Iran. ' Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11365-6891 Tehran, Iran; Institute of Nano-Science and Nano-technology, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. ' Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11365-6891 Tehran, Iran

Abstract: In this study, synthesis of conductive metal nanowires by using aligned and immobilised DNA strand on solid substrate is reported. The nanoporous gold film was prepared by electrostatic self assembly of gold nanoparticles capped with tryptophan. Tryptophan would improve surface properties of gold nanoparticles for strongly attaching to DNA. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that gold nanoparticles have been capped by tryptophan. Also measured zeta potential shows that there are positive charges on the surface of gold nanoparticles. Investigations by AFM observation substantially confirm that tryptophan-capped gold nanoparticles can be bonded to DNA template electrostatically.

Keywords: tryptophan; gold film nanoparticles; electrostatic self assembly; AFM; DNA templates; conductive metal nanowires; nanotechnology; Iran; nanoporous gold film.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2009.027566

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009 Vol.6 No.10/11, pp.1041 - 1049

Published online: 31 Jul 2009 *

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