DNA-Mediated Copper Nanoparticle Formation on Dispersed Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

A new and facile method for the preparation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) decorated with Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) formed on a double-stranded DNA template in aqueous solution has been developed. A specially designed synthetic DNA sequence, containing a single-stranded domain for the dispersion of carbon nanotubes and double-stranded domains for the selective growth of CuNPs, was utilized. The final SWCNT/CuNP hybrids were characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The analyses clearly demonstrated the selective formation of uniform CuNPs on the carbon nanotube scaffold.