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Phase Transition and Optical Properties of DNA–Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies

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Abstract

We review recent work on DNA-linked gold nanoparticle assemblies. The synthesis, properties, and phase behavior of such DNA–gold nanoparticle assemblies are described. These nanoparticle assemblies have strong optical extinction in the ultraviolet and visible light regions; hence, the technique is used to study the kinetics and phase transitions of DNA–gold nanoparticle assemblies. The melting transition of DNA–gold nanoparticle assemblies shows unusual trends compared to those of free DNA. The phase transitions are influenced by many parameters, such as nanoparticle size, DNA sequence, DNA grafting density, DNA linker length, interparticle distance, base pairing defects, and disorders. The physics of the DNA–gold nanoparticle assemblies can be understood in terms of the phase behavior of complex fluids, with the colloidal gold interaction potential dominated by DNA hybridization energies.

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Acknowledgements

We also thank NSF DMR-0505814, NIH 1T90DK70121-01, Hamill Innovation Fund, and Welch Foundation C-1632 for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Young Sun

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, 6100 Main St. – MS 61, Houston, TX, 77005, USA

    Nolan C. Harris & Ching-Hwa Kiang

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  1. Young Sun
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  2. Nolan C. Harris
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  3. Ching-Hwa Kiang
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Correspondence to Ching-Hwa Kiang.

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Sun, Y., Harris, N.C. & Kiang, CH. Phase Transition and Optical Properties of DNA–Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies. Plasmonics 2, 193–199 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-007-9034-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-007-9034-y

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