Phase Transition of DNA-Linked Gold Nanoparticle

Abstract

Melting and hybridization of DNA-capped gold nanoparticle networks are investigated with optical absorption spectroscopy. Single-stranded, 12-base DNA-capped gold nanoparticles are linked with complementary, single-stranded, 24-base linker DNA to form particle networks. Compared to free DNA, a sharp melting transition is seen in these networked DNA-nanoparticle systems. The sharpness is explained by percolation transition phenomena.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, submitte