Applications of DNA Nanotechnology in Synthesis and Assembly of Inorganic Nanomaterials

In addition to its inherited genetic function, DNA is one of the smartest and most flexible self-assembling nanomaterials with programmable and predictable features, for which, more and more scientists combine DNA with nanomaterials and put them into designing, synthesizing and assembling. In this review, four modes of action of DNA molecules are introduced in a figurative and intuitive way, based on the four different roles it plays in synthesis and assembly of nanomaterials: (a) smart linkers to guide nanoparticle assembly, (b) 2D or 3D scaffold with well-designed binding sites, (c) nucleation sites to directly facilitate Au/Pd/Ag/Cu nanowires, nanoparticles, nano- arrays and (d) serving as capping agents to prevent crystal growth, and control size and morphology. To be sure, this state-of-the-art combination of functional DNA molecules and inorganic nanomaterials greatly encouraged step towards the development of analytical science, life science, environmental science, and other promising field they can address. DNA-guided nanofabrication will eventually exceed expectations far beyond our scope in the near future.