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The ability to modulate optical and electrical properties of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors has sparked considerable interest in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Herein, we introduce a facile strategy for modulating optoelectronic properties of monolayer MoSe₂with external light. Photochromic diarylethene (DAE) molecules formed a 2-nm-thick uniform layer on MoSe₂, switching between its closed- and open-form isomers under UV and visible irradiation, respectively. We have discovered that the closed DAE conformation under UV has its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level lower than the conduction band minimum of MoSe₂, which facilitates photoinduced charge separation at the hybrid interface and quenches photoluminescence (PL) from monolayer flakes. In contrast, open isomers under visible light prevent photoexcited electron transfer from MoSe₂to DAE, thus retaining PL emission properties. Alternating UV and visible light repeatedly show a dynamic modulation of optoelectronic signatures of MoSe₂. Conductive atomic force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy also reveal an increase in conductivity and work function of MoSe₂/DAE with photoswitched closed-form DAE. These results may open new opportunities for designing new phototransistors and other 2D optoelectronic devices.

 

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have received much attention for optoelectronic applications because of their band gap transition from indirect to direct as they decrease from multilayer to monolayer. Recent studies have experimented with the use of photochromic molecules to optically control the charge transport of two-dimensional (2D) TMDCs. In this work, a numerical study using density functional theory has been performed to test the possibility to control the optical property of 2D TMDC monolayers with various photochromic molecules. When the photochromic molecule’s highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels are within the band gap of 2D TMDC monolayers, holes or electrons will transport to the photochromic molecules, resulting in the reduction of excitons in the 2D TMDC monolayers. The reduced optical response can be recovered by going through reverse isomerization of the photochromic molecules. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten diselenide (WSe2) monolayers were tested with various photochromic molecules including azobenzene, spiropyran, and diarylethenes (DAE 2 ethyl, DAE 5 ethyl, DAE 5 methyl). The systematic study presented in this work displays that MoS2-Spiropyran and every diarylethene derivative used in this study except MoS2-DAE 5 methyl exhibited photo-switchable behavior.

 

In DNA nanotechnology, DNA molecules are designed, engineered, and assembled into arbitrary-shaped architectures with predesigned functions. Static DNA assemblies often have delicate designs with structural rigidity to overcome thermal fluctuations. Dynamic structures reconfigure in response to external cues, which have been explored to create functional nanodevices for environmental sensing and other applications. However, the precise control of reconfiguration dynamics has been a challenge due partly to flexible single-stranded DNA connections between moving parts. Deformable structures are special dynamic constructs with deformation on double-stranded parts and single-stranded hinges during transformation. These structures often have better control in programmed deformation. However, related deformability and mechanics including transformation mechanisms are not well understood or documented. In this review, we summarize the development of dynamic and deformable DNA nanostructures from a mechanical perspective. We present deformation mechanisms such as single-stranded DNA hinges with lock-and-release pairs, jack edges, helicity modulation, and external loading. Theoretical and computational models are discussed for understanding their associated deformations and mechanics. We elucidate the pros and cons of each model and recommend design processes based on the models. The design guidelines should be useful for those who have limited knowledge in mechanics as well as expert DNA designers. 

DNA origami has garnered great attention due to its excellent programmability and precision. It offers a powerful means to create complex nanostructures which may not be possible by other methods. The macromolecular structures may be used as static templates for arranging proteins and other molecules. They are also capable of undergoing structural transformation in response to external signals, which may be exploited for sensing and actuation at the nanoscale. Such on-demand reconfigurations are executed mostly by DNA oligomers through base-pairing and/or strand displacement, demonstrating drastic shape changes between two different states, for example, open and close. Recent studies have developed new mechanisms to modulate the origami conformation in a controllable, progressive manner. Here we present several methods for conformational control of DNA origami nanostructures including chemical adducts and UV light as well as widely applied DNA oligomers. The detailed methods should be useful for beginners in the field of DNA nanotechnology. 

DNA origami has emerged as a versatile method to synthesize nanostructures with high precision. This bottom-up self-assembly approach can produce not only complex static architectures, but also dynamic reconfigurable structures with tunable properties. While DNA origami has been explored increasingly for diverse applications, such as biomedical and biophysical tools, related mechanics are also under active investigation. Here we studied the structural properties of DNA origami and investigated the energy needed to deform the DNA structures. We used a single-layer rectangular DNA origami tile as a model system and studied its cyclization process. This origami tile was designed with an inherent twist by placing crossovers every 16 base-pairs (bp), corresponding to a helical pitch of 10.67 bp/turn, which is slightly different from that of native B-form DNA (~10.5 bp/turn). We used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on a coarse-grained model on an open-source computational platform, oxDNA. We calculated the energies needed to overcome the initial curvature and induce mechanical deformation by applying linear spring forces. We found that the initial curvature may be overcome gradually during cyclization and a total of ~33.1 kcal/mol is required to complete the deformation. These results provide insights into the DNA origami mechanics and should be useful for diverse applications such as adaptive reconfiguration and energy absorption.