Formation of a single metallized DNA nanowire in a nanochannel

Abstract

We present a novel fabrication process of a single silver nanowire using metallization of a DNA molecule. First, we introduced a single λDNA molecule into a nanochannel by capillary force. Then, the λDNA molecule was stretched and immobilized by applying an AC voltage between two electrodes that were placed 15 μm apart. Next, naphthalene diimide molecules labeled with reducing groups were intercalated into the λDNA so that the reducing groups were arrayed along the λDNA strand. Finally, the λDNA was metallized with silver using treatment with Tollens' reagent and reduction of silver ions along the λDNA, which resulted in formation of silver nanowires. The electrical property of the fabricated nanowire was evaluated with the complex impedance plot. As a result, an equivalent circuit for the nanowire was found to be expressed as the series connection of a resistance and several parallel RC circuits.