Self-assembled multilayer thin films consisting of alternating layers of ∼6-nm Au nanoparticles and α,ω-dithiols have been prepared on glass substrates. They have been studied by UV/Vis spectroscopy, ellipsometry, scanning tunneling microscopy, and temperature-dependent conductivity measurements. The electronic and optical properties of the thin film material are nonmetallic, and the Au particles maintain their individual character without fusion to larger units. Electronic conduction within the films occurs via activated electron hopping.

Self-assembled multilayer thin films have been prepared on Au and mercaptosilanized glass substrates by alternate surface derivatization with Cu2+ ion and alkanedithiols. The films deposited on glass show intrinsic orange-red photoluminescence and were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy. A strongly photoluminescent solid was also obtained by reaction of 1,6-hexanedithiol with cupric perchlorate in ethanolic solution. Multilayer structures on Au were studied by ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Both in the solid material and in the self-assembled thin films, XPS measurements suggest Cu is present in the +1 oxidation state. This was also confirmed by cyclic voltammetry of Cu ion adsorbed to a self-assembled monolayer of 1,6-hexanedithiol on gold. Metal−metal interactions in the form of clustering might contribute to the unusual photophysical properties observed in both types of materials.

Self-assembled multilayer thin films of nanometer-sized gold particles linked with organic dithiols have been prepared on glass, indium tin oxide, and gold substrates. The gold particles within these structures retain their integrity and no sintering occurs as demonstrated by their optical absorbance, ellipsometry, and potential modulated transmission and reflectance spectroscopy. The optical response to electrochemical charge injection into the outermost layer of gold particles is completely different from that of bulk gold electrodes, and it is concluded that the particles have to be regarded as discrete, immobilized quantum-dots.

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Ein Enzym‐vermittelter Aufbau von Nanostrukturen aus DNA‐modifizierten Goldkolloiden wurde mithilfe DNA‐prozessierender Enzyme erreicht. Partikel‐gebundene DNA‐Doppelstränge werden hierbei durch eine Restriktionsendonuclease an bestimmten Stellen gespalten (siehe Bild). Anschließend werden die Fragmente durch eine DNA‐Ligase zusammengefügt. Diese neue Strategie ermöglicht einen mehrstufigen Aufbau von Nanostrukturen.