DNA/polyaniline/gold nanocomposites: An electrical overview

Nanocomposites of conducting polymers /metal nanoparticles (NC) have been considered important candidates for different applications involving determination and quantification of DNA due to their novel properties, viz. electronic, mechanical and optical response. The interaction of components with DNA is a critical step in the optimization of diagnostic applications. In this work, we have studied mechanisms of interaction of polyaniline - gold nanoparticle (PANI-Au) with DNA molecules by optical and electrical impedance spectroscopy. In both responses (absorbance at 318 nm and emission at 440 nm) a similar behavior with variation in the corresponding [P]DNA/[N]PANI-Au ratio is established, in agreement with EIS data, in a strong indication that EIS can be explored as an alternative technique for description of PANI-Au / DNA interactions.