Poly‐cytosine DNA as a High‐Affinity Ligand for Inorganic Nanomaterials

Abstract Attaching DNA to nanomaterials is the basis for DNA‐directed assembly, sensing, and drug delivery using such hybrid materials. Poly‐cytosine (poly‐C) DNA is a high affinity ligand for four types of commonly used nanomaterials, including nanocarbons (graphene oxide and single‐walled carbon nanotubes), transition metal dichalcogenides (MoS 2 and WS 2 ), metal oxides (Fe 3 O 4 and ZnO), and metal nanoparticles (Au and Ag). Compared to other homo‐DNA sequences, poly‐C DNA has the highest affinity for the first three types of materials. Using a diblock DNA containing a poly‐C block to attach to surfaces, the target DNA was successfully hybridized to the other block on graphene oxide more efficiently than that containing a typical poly‐A block, especially in the presence of non‐specific background DNA, proteins, or surfactants. This work provides a simple solution for functionalizing nanomaterials with non‐modified DNA and offers new insights into DNA biointerfaces.