Scaffold-organized clusters and electronic devices made using such clusters

Abstract

A method for forming arrays of metal, alloy, semiconductor or magnetic clusters is described. The method comprises placing a scaffold on a substrate, the scaffold comprising, for example, polynucleotides and/or polypeptides, and coupling the clusters to the scaffold. Methods of producing arrays in predetermined patterns and electronic devices that incorporate such patterned arrays are also described.

1 . A method for forming arrays of metal, alloy, semiconductor and/or magnetic clusters, comprising:
 placing a scaffold on a substrate; and   coupling monodispersed clusters, selected from the group consisting of metal clusters, alloy clusters, semiconductor clusters, magnetic clusters, and combinations thereof, to the scaffold.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling comprises contacting the scaffold with clusters having plural exchangeable ligands, where at least one of the ligands is exchanged for a functional group of the scaffold. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling comprises contacting the scaffold with clusters having plural ligands, where at least one of the ligands is charged and is electrostatically attracted to a scaffold of opposite charge. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the scaffold is positively charged polylysine and the plural ligands of the clusters include at least one having a negatively charged group. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the negatively charged group is selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polylysine is poly-L-lysine. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the scaffold is a polynucleotide having a negatively charged phosphate backbone and the plural ligands of the clusters include at least one having a positively charged group selected from the group consisting of protonated amine groups, quaternary ammonium groups, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling comprises contacting the scaffold with clusters having plural ligands, where at least one of the ligands becomes associated with the scaffold through a hydrophobic interaction. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the scaffold is a polynucleotide and the plural ligands of the clusters include at least one ligand that intercalates into the polynucleotide. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the polynucleotide is DNA. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein placing the scaffold on the substrate comprises placing the scaffold on the substrate in a predetermined pattern. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein placing the scaffold on the substrate in a predetermined pattern comprises aligning the scaffold in an electric field created between electrodes on the substrate. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the scaffold has an electric dipole moment that causes the scaffold to align in the electric field. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the scaffold is a helical polynucleotide. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the scaffold is a helical polypeptide. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the helical polypeptide is in the form of an α-helix. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the polypeptide is polylysine. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein placing the scaffold on the substrate in a predetermined pattern comprises polymerizing monomers, oligomers, or polypeptides into larger polypeptides to form a scaffold between two electrodes on the surface of the substrate. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein placing the scaffold on the substrate in a predetermined pattern comprises anchoring the scaffold and inducing alignment of the anchored scaffold in a particular direction by fluid flow. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the scaffold is attached to a first electrode and aligned by fluid flow, substantially in the direction of a second electrode.