Abstract
AbstractNatural melanin polymers, biosynthesized from free tyrosine, assemble into microstructures that interact with light, producing a wide range of photonic properties. These structures are formed by mechanisms that are difficult to control to create new optical materials. Here, simple pentapeptides YXXXY is presented, where the XXX controls self‐assembly into microstructures, after which the Y's are polymerized by tyrosinase into melanin. It sought to computationally predict peptides that will assemble into two‐layer films that exhibit structural color and infrared (IR) scattering. Three peptides (YPIIY, YLPIY, YVPAY) are synthesized and found to form a two‐layer film exhibiting structural color. YLPIY‐melanin also forms a stable coating with scattering peaks in the near‐ and mid‐IR. This coating reduces the signature of a hotplate (37 °C) as seen by a thermal camera. This synthetic peptidic material is the first to exhibit IR‐scattering, opening the possibility of incorporating this function into bio‐compatible fibers, textiles, and plastics.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
