Assembling nanoparticles and biomacromolecules using electrostatic interactions

Abstract

Nanotechnology is witnessing impressive advances on many different fronts. One of the key areas with important commercial implications concerns the assembly of nanoparticles to form thin films and superstructures by what is commonly known as the "bottom-up" approach. This paper covers some of the more recent developments in this fascinating field with particular emphasis on the work from the author's laboratory on assembly of nanoparticles using electrostatic interactions. The use of electrostatic interactions enables extension of the assembly protocols to the immobilization of biomacromolecules such as proteins/enzymes and DNA with exciting application potential.