Reconfigurable Plasmonic Nanostructures Controlled by DNA Origami

Precise surface functionalization and reconfigurable capability of nanomaterials are essential to construct complex nanostructures with specific functions. Here we show the assembly of a reconfigurable plasmonic nanostructure, which executes both conformational and plasmonic changes in response to DNA strands. In this work, different sized gold nanoparticles(AuNPs) were arranged site-specifically on the surface of a DNA origami clamp nanostructure. The opening and closing of the DNA origami clamp could be precisely controlled by a series of strand displacement reactions. Therefore, the patterns of these AuNPs could be switched between two different configurations. The observed plasmon band shift indicates the change of the plasmonic interactions among the assembled AuNPs. Our study achieves the construction of reconfigurable nanomaterials with tunable plasmonic interactions, and will enrich the toolbox of DNA-based functional nanomachinery.