DNA, due to its structural plasticity and addressability, shows an excellent capability for programming bonds between nanoparticles. This programmability allows to direct the formation of well-defined nanoparticle 2D and 3D lattices with diverse crystallographic symmetries. However, to utilize these assemblies in devices or to integrate them with other materials, the methods for their precise placements on planar substrates and assembly at the pre-determined locations are required. Taking advantage of DNA as a charged polymer, we developed an approach to direct the growth of 3D DNA-nanoparticle lattices at the targeted surface locations over macroscopic areas using microscale lithographic patterns with specific charge characteristics. We investigated how the growth of 3D superlattices on substrates depends on both the design of surface properties and the nature of self-assembled systems, thus a robust pattern-guided assembly method was established. The combination of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) allowed us to reveal the assembly processes. The established approach provides a new platform to systematically study the nucleation and growth of DNA-based assemblies at the interfaces and enables a powerful control over positioning of assemblies on substrates over macroscopic areas.

Guiding assembly and placement of 3D DNA-nanoparticle superlattices by charged micro-patterned surfaces

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