RNA-mediated fluorescent Q-PbS nanoparticles.

RNA-mediated fluorescent PbS nanoparticles have been synthesized in the quantum-confined region of a face-centered cubic phase. The binding of RNA to the surface of PbS nanoparticles has been exploited to tailor its size and to improve the stability and electronic properties. These particles display excitonic features and a relatively strong narrow emission band (fwhm 70 nm) at 675 nm with a broad excitation range extending from 330 to 620 nm. The manipulation of experimental conditions could control the relaxation dynamics of charge carriers in the illuminated particles. The multifunctionality of the RNA structure contributes to the observed electronic properties in a cooperative manner. Such biopolymeric nanostructures may find tremendous applications in the fabrication of solar cells, fluorescence imaging, and detection devices.