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. 2020 Feb 21;20(3):1571–1577. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04217

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Reversible actuation of the DNA-assembled plasmonic nanostructures in cell-sized microfluidic compartments. (a) Illustration of the DNA-assembled plasmonic nanostructures modified with a pH-sensitive triplex motif. Hoogsteen interactions lead to the locked state of the cross at pH ≤8.5. The triplex dissociates at higher pH values, leading to the unlocked state. (b) Schematic of the noninvasive pH-responsive actuation of the droplet-encapsulated plasmonic crosses upon addition of the proton acceptor pyridine or the proton donator Krytox. (c) CD spectra of the plasmonic droplets at different pH values, demonstrating good reversibility. (d) TEM image of the DNA-assembled plasmonic nanostructures with two AuNRs each after encapsulation, pH cycling, and subsequent release from the mircofluidic droplets. Scale bar: 100 nm.