New simple way for silver deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based nanowires preparation on silicon surface was developed. The electrochemical reduction of silver ions fixed on DNA molecule provides the forming of tightly matched zonate silver clusters. Highly homogeneous metallic clusters have a size about 30 nm. So the thickness of nanowires does not exceed 30-50 nm. The surface of n-type silicon monocrystal is the most convenient substrate for this procedure. The comparative analysis of DNA metallization on of n-type silicon with a similar way for nanowires fabrication on p-type silicon, freshly cleaved mica, and glass surface shows the advantage of n-type silicon, which is not only the substrate for DNA fixation but also the source of electrons for silver reduction. Images of bound DNA molecules and fabricated nanowires have been obtained using an atomic force microscope and a scanning ion helium microscope. DNA interaction with silver ions in a solution was examined by the methods of ultraviolet spectroscopy and circular dichroism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3633-3641
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Nanoparticle Research
Volume13
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2011

    Research areas

  • DNA-templated nanowires, Reduction of silver ions, Nanobiotechnology, Silicon surface, DNA-bundles, SILVER NANOWIRES, CONSTRUCTION, TRANSISTOR, BEHAVIOR, CHAINS, AG

ID: 5076685