Here we report on the DNA-templated self-assembly of conducting gold nanowires between
gold electrodes lithographically patterned on a silicon oxide substrate. An aqueous
dispersion of 4-(dimethylamino) pyridine-stabilized gold nanoparticles was prepared. These
nanoparticles recognize and bind selectively double-stranded calf thymus DNA aligned
between the gold electrodes to form a linear nanoparticle array. Continuous polycrystalline
gold nanowires are obtained by electroless deposition that enlarges and enjoins the …

The use of DNA to template the assembly of gold nanowires from gold nanoparticles is
reported. Double-stranded calf thymus DNA, was deposited on a polystyrene-coated silicon
wafer substrate. The substrate was then exposed to an aqueous dispersion of positively
charged gold nanoparticles (~ 4 nm diameter), which adsorbed at the negatively charged
DNA template. The adsorbed nanoparticles were then enlarged and enjoined by electroless
deposition leading to formation of continuous nanowires of 85 nm average diameter. Gold …