DNA assembly of silicon quantum dots/gold nanoparticle nanocomposites. Issue 68 (5th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inoue, Asuka; Sugimoto, Hiroshi; Yaku, Hidenobu; Fujii, Minoru
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 6:Issue 68(2016)
• Page Start: 63933
• Page End: 63939
• Publication Date: 2016-07-05
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ra13565j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : We report the formation of a nanocomposite composed of silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs) and a gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) by DNA hybridization. The composites are dispersible in water and exhibit bright near infrared luminescence. Abstract : Silicon quantum dots (Si-QDs) dispersible in water and exhibiting bright near infrared (NIR) luminescence are a very attractive nano-light-emitter usable in bioimaging and biosensing. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of NIR luminescent nanocomposites composed of Si-QDs and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) by DNA hybridization. We first develop processes to functionalize the surface of Si-QDs with different types of silane coupling agents without notably affecting the water solubility and the luminescence properties, and then conjugate the functionalized Si-QDs with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). DNA hybridization with a Au-NP with complementary ssDNA results in the formation of Si-QDs/Au-NP nanocomposites.