Tuning optical properties of self-assembled nanoparticle network with external optical excitation

DNA-driven self-assembly enables precise positioning of the colloidal nanoparticles owing to specific Watson–Crick interactions. Another important feature this method is its reversibility by controlling temperature medium. In work, we study potential another mechanism control binding/unbinding process DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles. We employ laser radiation that can be absorbed heat their network and disassociate it. Here, show actively optical properties nanoparticle external excitation. find out irradiating structure with a green hand-held laser, total transmittance increase ∼30% compared sample not irradiated laser. Similarly, microscopy images indicate transformation from opaque transparent, while formed again after irradiation stopped. Our results prove excitation used tailor thus DNA-self-assembled networks.