Nucleobase-pairing triggers the self-assembly of uracil-ferrocene on adenine functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Shortened and oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with adenine using the amidation strategy. The adenine functionalized MWCNTs (Ad-MWCNTs) were complexed with a uracil substituted ferrocene and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM (HRTEM), electron diffraction X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The electrochemical properties of these novel nanohybrids were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The favorable supramolecular interaction of the electroactive species with the functionalized nanotubes through the efficient adenine–uracil base-pairing can be exploited for the design of new electronic devices.