Y-shape DNA guided Ni ion chain based nanowire transistor development and characterization*

Recently studies indicate that DNA template guided Ni ion chain (Ni-DNA) is a conducting nanowire and it possesses multi-states memory effect owing to the Ni ions redox state transition by external bias. By designing the sequences of DNA, Y-shape Ni-DNA molecules have been synthesized and characterized. Furthermore, these unique Ni-DNA molecules were linked with three-terminal nanodevice via self-assembly process. The negative differential resistance behavior of I-V curves can be observed between each two terminals of device. By assigning these three terminals as source, drain and gate terminal and the source-drain currents can be regulated by different gate voltage. This is the first Ni-DNA nanowire based transistor has be developed in the world.