DNA-programmable particle superlattices: Assembly, phases, and dynamic control

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as new functional blocks for optical, energy, and biomedical applications, opening a new frontier of rational self-assembly of materials. One of the most controllable assembly strategies relies on programming interparticle interactions using the complementarity of DNA strands, providing selective and reversible interactions between particles of different sizes and shapes. Much progress has been achieved in DNA-guided assembly of particle superlattices. By tuning the interactions, sizes, and shapes of NPs, a wide variety of structures have been assembled. This article discusses the most significant achievements and challenges in assembly of DNA-programmable particle superlattices.