Piezoresistivity in single DNA molecules.
Piezoresistivity is a fundamental property of materials that has found many device applications. Here we report piezoresistivity in double helical DNA molecules. By studying the dependence of molecular conductance and piezoresistivity of single DNA molecules with different sequences and lengths, and performing molecular orbital calculations, we show that the piezoresistivity of DNA is caused by force-induced changes in the π-π electronic coupling between neighbouring bases, and in the activation energy of hole hopping. We describe the results in terms of thermal activated hopping model together with the ladder-based mechanical model for DNA proposed by de Gennes.
Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5801, USA.
Christopher
C
Bruot
Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5801, USA.
Julio L
JL
Palma
Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5801, USA.
Limin
L
Xiang
Department of Chemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5801, USA.
Vladimiro
V
Mujica
Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 1145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3113, USA.
Mark A
MA
Ratner
Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors, Biodesign Institute, School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5801, USA.
Nongjian
N
Tao
D004247:DNA / Q000502:physiology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D016252:Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling; D008958:Models, Molecular; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D004247:DNA