Dielectric Function and Electronic Excitations of Functionalized DNA Thin Films

Abstract

We measure the dielectric functions of organic-soluble, functionalized DNAs bearing functional moieties in the near-infrared, visible, and ultra-violet spectra by using spectroscopic ellipsometry. Natural double-stranded DNA is dissolved in water and reacted with carbazole-based trimethyl ammonium bromide, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and chalcone-terminated trimethyl ammonium bromide. The functional DNA products are all precipitated and filtered for washing and drying. We successfully prepare functionalized DNAs that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. The thin films are fabricated by using the spin coating technique after preparing solutions in either homogeneous or mixed organic solvents. We measure the ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectra of the films. The absorbance spectra show that the optical energy gaps of the functionalized DNAs change little even though the DNAs are connected to the complex molecules by electrostatic interaction. From the measured ellipsometric angles, we estimate the dielectric functions by using parametric optical constant model and layer model analysis. Depending on the nature of the attached complex molecules, the dielectric functions change, new optical structures develop below and above band gaps arising from the side molecules, and the optical energy gaps of the DNAs are altered slightly by weak coupling to the tethered complex molecules.