Functionalized DNA Origami Nanostructures for Molecular Electronics

The DNA origami method provides a programmable bottom-up approach for creating nanostructures of any desired shape, which can be used as scaffolds for nanoelectronics and nanophotonics device fabrications.1 Based on this technique, the precise positioning of metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles along DNA nanostructures can be achieved. In this study, various DNA origami nanostructures (nanomolds, nanotubes and nanosheets) are used as templates for the fabrication of nanoelectronic devices. To this end, gold nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots/rods are used in/on the DNA origami structures to create nanowires and transistor-like devices. In order to investigate the transport properties of the fabricated nanostructures, the wires are contacted using top-down methods. The DNA origami nanowires and transistors were electrically characterized from room temperature (RT) down to 4.2K.2 Temperature-dependent characterizations of wires were performed in order to understand the dominant conduction mechanisms. Some nanowires showed pure metallic behavior. Transistor like devices showed Coulomb blockade behavior at RT. The study shows that self-assembled DNA structures can be used for nanoelectronic patterning and single electron devices.