Bioinspired Materials for Compact Power Structures

摘要

This report accounts for the major scientific accomplishments of the above project from May 2002 to November 2004. The focus of this proposal was the development of methods and techniques for the assembly of 3-D nanoparticle lattices using a variety of nanoparticles and novel DNA-driven assembly techniques. Microorganisms and diatoms were used as templates for the hierarchical assembly of ordered 3-D nanostructures, and DNA-linked nanoparticles were shown to form organized lattices in aqueous medium. In addition applications were developed to use diatoms as bio-templates for new materials. The self-organization of gold nanoparticles modified with DNA led to the assembly of supramolecular gold nanoparticle assemblies with unique physical characteristics. These novel supramolecular gold nanoparticle structures have potential applications as novel biodetection systems displaying properties distinct from those of the single gold nanoparticles. Finally, hybrid organic-inorganic nanorods and nanowires were synthesized, and the electrical properties of these structures were studied. Newly synthesized nanowires can self-assemble into 'mushroom', 'sheet' and 'tubular superstructures', a process that is driven by the strong interactions between the polymer domains. The diameter and length of these novel 3-D complexes are determined by individual nanowire components. In the context of an integrated microelectrode device, these nanorod structures displayed resistor- or diode- like behavior, which suggests potential applications of these devices in areas as divers as solar energy conversion.