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Chiroplasmonic DNA-based nanostructures

Nature Reviews Materials volume 2, Article number: 17039 (2017) Cite this article

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Abstract

Chiroplasmonic properties of nanoparticles, organized using DNA-based nanostructures, have attracted both theoretical and experimental interest. Theory suggests that the circular dichroism spectra accompanying chiroplasmonic nanoparticle assemblies are controlled by the sizes, shapes, geometries and interparticle distances of the nanoparticles. In this Review, we present different methods to assemble chiroplasmonic nanoparticle or nanorod systems using DNA scaffolds, and we discuss the operations of dynamically reconfigurable chiroplasmonic nanostructures. The chiroplasmonic properties of the different systems are characterized by circular dichroism and further supported by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy or cryo-transmission electron microscopy imaging and theoretical modelling. We also outline the applications of chiroplasmonic assemblies, including their use as DNA-sensing platforms and as functional systems for information processing and storage. Finally, future perspectives in applying chiroplasmonic nanoparticles as waveguides for selective information transfer and their use as ensembles for chiroselective synthesis are discussed. Specifically, we highlight the upscaling of the systems to device-like configurations.

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Figure 1: Nanoparticle and plasmonic nanoparticle aggregates on static and dynamic DNA scaffolds.
Figure 2: Mechanisms and optical properties corresponding to the assembly of chiroplasmonic nanostructures.
Figure 3: Asymmetric chiral configurations of plasmonic nanoparticles and their optical properties.
Figure 4: Helical chiroplasmonic assemblies of gold nanoparticles on DNA origami scaffolds.
Figure 5: Assembly of chiroplasmonic structures on helical nucleic acid tethers associated with DNA barrels.
Figure 6: Chiroplasmonic gold nanorod systems and their optical properties.
Figure 7: Chiroplasmonic devices and machines.
Figure 8: Sensing with chiroplasmonic nanostructures.

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Acknowledgements

L.V.B. and A.O.G. acknowledge support from the Volkswagen Foundation (Germany). The research of I.W. and A.C. is supported by the Israel Science Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel

    Alessandro Cecconello & Itamar Willner

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, 45701, Ohio, USA

    Lucas V. Besteiro & Alexander O. Govorov

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  1. Alessandro Cecconello
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  2. Lucas V. Besteiro
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  3. Alexander O. Govorov
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  4. Itamar Willner
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Correspondence to Itamar Willner.

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Cecconello, A., Besteiro, L., Govorov, A. et al. Chiroplasmonic DNA-based nanostructures. Nat Rev Mater 2, 17039 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/natrevmats.2017.39

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