DNA-templated assemblage of ZnS nanoparticle wires

In this paper we report that ZnS nanoparticle wires were synthesized by using DNA template for the first time with a simple precipitation method under mild conditions. The diameter of the synthesized ZnS nanoparticle wires was about 15–35 nm and the diameter of ZnS nanoparticles was in the range of 4–9 nm as characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Zinc blende structure was established by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization. The optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectrum, which shows a blue-shift in absorption peak as compared to that of bulk ZnS due to quantum confinement effects. The particle size from TEM is in good agreement with the result calculated from the UV–vis absorption spectra and the chemical bond theory built for semiconductor nanocrystals. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of ZnS nanoparticle wires shows that there are two blue emission peaks at 411 nm and 437 nm, which may be ascribed to the sulfur vacancies and interstitial sulfur lattice defects respectively.

► First realization of ZnS nanoparticle wires by attaching ZnS nanocrystals to DNA molecular skeleton by a simple precipitation method under mild conditions.
► The UV–vis absorption spectrum was used to track the reaction process of this experiment.
► The UV–vis absorption spectrum shows a blue-shift of absorption peak as compared to bulk ZnS due to quantum confinement effects.
► PL spectrum shows two blue emission peaks at 411 nm and 437 nm.