Electric Field Modulated Peptide Nano-Assembly

Abstract

Molecular self-assembly is an emerging and powerful tool in the synthesis of functional nanoscale structures as a bottom-up fabrication method. Among different self-assembling molecules, peptides are fascinating building blocks for the construction of supramolecular assemblies. The combination of facile chemical synthesis, flexibility in synthesis depending on the side-chain property, biocompatibility, and relative stability makes peptide a convenient building block for biological and bio-inspired self-assembly. Non-covalent interactions such as hydrophobic interaction, π- π stacking, van der Waals interaction and N and C terminal modifications have directed the self-assembly of peptides to supramolecular nanostructures. By mimicking the structures occurring in nature, peptide materials play a unique role in a new generation of hybrid materials. However, the challenge in this field is to control the self-assembly process in order to design a desirable structure at the nanometer scale in the correct orientation and configuration. Controlling the hierarchical organization of self-assembling peptides into nanostructures opens up the possibility of developing biocompatible functional nano materials for various applications. In this study, we focus on the fabrication of peptide nanomaterials formed by the self-assembly by employing electric field modulation. Self-assembly in the presence of external forces is an adaptive, directed organization of molecular components. While forces may be generated as a result of spontaneous interactions among components of a system, intervention with external forces can significantly alter the epitaxial growth of basic building blocks and stability of self-assembled architecture. Superimposing these intrinsic and extrinsic forces provide greater degrees of freedom to control the structure and function of self-assembling materials.