Positional control of DNA origami based gold dimer hybrid nanostructures on pre-structured surfaces

Abstract This study explores important parameters for achieving a high-level positional control of DNA-nanoparticle hybrid structures by drop-casting onto a pre-structured silicon surface, in which the active adsorption sites were defined using electron beam lithography. By confining the adsorption sites to the scale of the DNA origami, we create multi-dimensional patterns and study the effect of diffusion and hybrid nanostructure concentration in the liquid on site occupation. We also propose a physical diffusion model that highlights the importance of surface diffusion in facilitating the adsorption of hybrid nanostructure onto active sites, particularly for two and one-dimensional adsorption sites. Our study shows prominent results of the hybrid nanostructure’s selective adsorption, indicating high adsorption efficiency and precise control over the position, as well as the spatial orientation. We anticipate similar results in related systems, both in terms of different surfaces and similar DNA structures. Overall, our findings offer promising prospects for the development of large-scale nanoarrays on micrometer-scale surfaces with nanometer precision and orientation control.