Photophysical characterization of layer-by-layer self-assembled films of deoxyribonucleic acid

This communication reports the photophysical characterization of self-assembled layer-by-layer (LbL) films of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) fabricated at different temperatures by electrostatic interaction with a polycation, poly(allylamine hydrochloride). It was observed that there was a successful incorporation of DNA molecules in DNA-PAH LbL films at room temperature as well as after melting temperature. An abrupt increase in intensity was observed in the absorption spectra of the films fabricated at high temperature which is an indication of the immobilization of unzipped DNA after melting of DNA. The films were observed to remain unaffected even after 250 h of film fabrication. The total electrostatic interaction time between DNA and PAH is about 15 min, that is, no PAH binding site is free.