Chiral smectic C structures of virus-based films

Long-range ordered virus-based films were fabricated using M13 phages (viruses) which were aligned and assembled using the meniscus phenomena. Their ordered structures and morphologies were studied and characterized using polarized optical microscopy (POM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). M13 virus particles which are 880 nm in length were the basic building block of the fabricated films. Due to the unique micrometer length scale of viruses, the smectic ordering of virus particles could be easily visualized using conventional microscopy techniques and compared with a theoretical model of chiral liquid crystal structures. From the results of POM, AFM, and SEM, the viral films were determined to have a chiral smectic C structure. By a comparison of the ordering of film formation as a function of virus concentration and the formation of bundle-like domain structure found in viral thin films, a mechanism of film formation is suggested. These virus-based film structures are organized on multiple length scales, easily fabricated, and allow integration of aligned semiconductor and magnetic nanocrystals. These self-assembled hybrid materials may have applications in miniaturized self-assembled electronic devices.