title: Phosphorothioate DNA Stabilized Fluorescent Gold and Silver Nanoclusters.
abstract: Unmodified single-stranded DNA has recently gained popularity for the templated synthesis of fluorescent noble metal nanoclusters (NCs). Bright, stable, and biocompatible clusters have been developed primarily through optimization of DNA sequence. However, DNA backbone modifications have not yet been investigated. In this work, phosphorothioate (PS) DNAs are evaluated in the synthesis of Au and Ag nanoclusters, and are employed to successfully template a novel emitter using T15DNA at neutral pH. Mechanistic studies indicate a distinct UV-dependent formation mechanism that does not occur through the previously reported thymine N3. The positions of PS substitution have been optimized. This is the first reported use of a T15template at physiological pH for AgNCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. danweadick@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Weadick
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada. liujw@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: Juewen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: DNA; luminescence; nanoclusters; phosphorothioate