Electron Microscopy of Mesoscale Arrays of Quantum-Confined CdS Nanoparticles Formed on DNA Templates

This paper describes the fabrication method and initial characterization of self-assembled mesoscale arrays of quantum-confined CdS nanoparticles using DNA as a template for the overall shape. Three DNAs were used: the circular and linear forms of the plasmid pUCLeu4, and circular φX174 RF II. In all three cases, the mesoscale lengths are consistent with the A-form of DNA. The structural signatures and crystallography were confirmed using conventional and high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and electron diffraction. Optical spectroscopy demonstrated that the particles display quantum-confinement effects. This research is a fundamental demonstration of the power of combining biochemical and solid-state processing techniques.