One-dimensional organic nanowires have emerged as idealized model systems for the investigation of charge transport mechanisms at molecular length scales. However, there are significant difficulties associated with the synthesis and electrical characterization of well-defined organic nanowires. We have drawn inspiration from oligonucleotide synthesis to develop a facile strategy for the assembly of organic semiconductor building blocks in predetermined arrangements on a DNA-like backbone. The resulting constructs can be purified/processed under partially aqueous conditions via known biochemical techniques and feature many of the advantages of standard oligonucleotides, including a well-defined length, geometry, and sequence context. We have investigated the properties of self-assembled monolayers from our nanowires with electrochemical and x-ray diffraction techniques. Our findings hold significance not only for fundamentally understanding nanoscale charge transport phenomena but also for the development of new types of biological and molecular electronic devices.

Synthesis and characterization of DNA-like organic nanowires

248th National Meeting (2014)

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