Polymerization on DNA Templates for Nanoelectronics Applications

Abstract

Polyaniline nanowires were grown using DNA as a template for possible use as interconnects in molecular electronics applications. Polymerization of aniline on salmon sperm DNA templates was achieved in phosphate buffers by the addition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and H2O2 in appropriate proportions. Bare DNA and DNA-PAni complexes were imaged using AFM in tapping mode. Concentration of DNA in buffer solution was varied from 0.5 mg/ml to 1 μg/ml to study its assembly on deposition over the mica surface. The effect of concentration of aniline on formation of PAni over naked DNA and its deposition elsewhere on the mica surface was examined. AFM imaging and UV-Vis spectroscopy results demonstrated the polymerization of aniline on salmon sperm DNA templates.