Two-color spectroscopy of UV excited ssDNA complex with a single-wall nanotube photoluminescence probe: Fast relaxation by nucleobase autoionization mechanism

Tetyana Ignatova, Alexander Balaeff, Michael Blades, Ming Zheng, Peter Stoeckl, Slava V. Rotkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA autoionization is a fundamental process wherein ultraviolet (UV)-photoexcited nucleobases dissipate energy by charge transfer to the environment without undergoing chemical damage. Here, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are explored as a photoluminescent reporter for the study of the mechanism and rates of DNA autoionization. Two-color photoluminescence spectroscopy allows separate photoexcitation of the DNA and the SWNTs in the UV and visible range, respectively. A strong SWNT photoluminescence quenching is observed when the UV pump is resonant with the DNA absorption, consistent with charge transfer from the excited states of the DNA to the SWNT. Semiempirical calculations of the DNA-SWNT electronic structure, combined with a Green’s function theory for charge transfer, show a 20 fs autoionization rate, dominated by hole transfer. Rate-equation analysis of the spectroscopy data confirms that the quenching rate is limited by thermalization of the free charge carriers transferred to the nanotube reservoir. This approach has great potential for monitoring DNA excitation, autoionization, and chemical damage, both in vivo and in vitro. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)571-583
Number of pages13
JournalNano Research
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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