Abstract
Incorporation of duplex DNA with higher molecular weights has attracted attention for a new opportunity towards a better organic light-emitting diode (OLED) capability. However, biological recognition by OLED materials is yet to be addressed. In this study, specific oligomeric DNA–DNA recognition is successfully achieved by tri (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminium (Alq3), an organic semiconductor. Alq3 rods crystallized with guidance from single-strand DNA molecules show, strikingly, a unique distribution of the DNA molecules with a shape of an ‘inverted' hourglass. The crystal's luminescent intensity is enhanced by 1.6-fold upon recognition of the perfect-matched target DNA sequence, but not in the case of a single-base mismatched one. The DNA–DNA recognition forming double-helix structure is identified to occur only in the rod's outer periphery. This study opens up new opportunities of Alq3, one of the most widely used OLED materials, enabling biological recognition.
Highlights
Incorporation of duplex DNA with higher molecular weights has attracted attention for a new opportunity towards a better organic light-emitting diode (OLED) capability
We demonstrate for the first time that only specific DNA–DNA recognition triggers photoluminescent enhancement reflected by Alq[3], the most widely used OLED material
We first observed the characteristic alteration when Alq[3] particles incorporating single-strand DNA moieties interacted with specific target DNA molecules
Summary
Incorporation of duplex DNA with higher molecular weights has attracted attention for a new opportunity towards a better organic light-emitting diode (OLED) capability. Utilized in the device were double-strand DNAs (dsDNAs) extracted from natural organisms and complexed with cationic surfactants; the device provides B30-fold increase in luminescence intensity[21]. This phenomenon was attributed to the contribution of the DNA layer to the electron blocking effect, reducing significant loss of electrons and enhancing electron–hole recombination in the cell[20]. Luminescent dyes entrapped within dsDNA thin films reported[22] exhibited higher intensity owing to less nonradiative relaxation This novel capability of DNA is noteworthy as a gadget in light-emitting devices. We demonstrate for the first time that only specific DNA–DNA recognition triggers photoluminescent enhancement reflected by Alq[3], the most widely used OLED material
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