High Electronic Conductance through Double-Helix DNA Molecules with Fullerene Anchoring Groups
Kathia L. Jiménez-Monroy (Universiteit Hasselt)
Nicolas Renaud (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
Jeroen Drijkoningen (IMO & X-LaB, Universiteit Hasselt)
David Cortens (Universiteit Hasselt)
Koen Schouteden (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
Christian Van Haesendonck (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
Wanda J. Guedens (Universiteit Hasselt)
Jean V. Manca (Universiteit Hasselt, IMO & X-LaB)
Laurens D.A. Siebbeles (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
Ferdinand C. Grozema (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
Patrick H. Wagner (Universiteit Hasselt, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
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Abstract
Determining the mechanism of charge transport through native DNA remains a challenge as different factors such as measuring conditions, molecule conformations, and choice of technique can significantly affect the final results. In this contribution, we have used a new approach to measure current flowing through isolated double-stranded DNA molecules, using fullerene groups to anchor the DNA to a gold substrate. Measurements were performed at room temperature in an inert environment using a conductive AFM technique. It is shown that the π-stacked B-DNA structure is conserved on depositing the DNA. As a result, currents in the nanoampere range were obtained for voltages ranging between ±1 V. These experimental results are supported by a theoretical model that suggests that a multistep hopping mechanism between delocalized domains is responsible for the long-range current flow through this specific type of DNA.
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