Ionic Liquid-Induced Assembly of DNA at Air-Water Interface.

DNA nanotechnology is the future of many products in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Self-assembly of this negatively charged biopolymer at surfaces and interfaces is an essential step to elaborate its field of applications. In this study, the ionic liquid (IL) monolayer-assisted self-assembly of DNA macromolecules at the air-water interface has been closely monitored by employing various quantitative techniques, namely, surface pressure-area (π-) isotherms, surface potential, interfacial rheology, and X-ray reflectivity (XRR).