DNA functionalization of colloidal particles via physisorption of azide-functionalized diblock copolymers

DNA-coated inorganic particles can be prepared simply by physical adsorption of azide-functionalized diblock copolymers (polystyrene-bpoly(ethylene oxide)-azide, PS-b-PEO-N-3) onto hydrophobically-modified inorganic particles, followed by strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC, copper-free click chemistry). This approach is applied to organosilica, silica and titania particles. The DNA-coated colloids are successfully crystallized into colloidal superstructures by a thermal annealing process using DNA-mediated assembly.