Lighting up silica nanotubes transcribed from the submicron structure of a metal–peptide hybrid

Abstract

Fluorescent silica nanotubes are attracting increasing interest because of their versatile applicability in a range of diverse fields. By using sol–gel transcription of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) from various soft templates, silica nanotubes can be conveniently prepared. Metal–peptide hybrids with well-defined nanostructures and outstanding functionalities are very interesting candidates to serve as templates. Herein, we demonstrate that glutathione (GSH) can act as a building block for a bioinspired structure with dimensions down to the nanoscale, based on specific interactions between metal ions and the peptide. Congo red is able to selectively stain the nanofibres obtained, and appears apple-green in colour, implying that Congo red is promising to serve as an effective and convenient probe for determining the self-assembly of GSH and copper ions. Furthermore, silica nanotubes are synthesized using the nanofibres as a template in a very simple way. The silica nanotubes can be lit up by biomolecule-templated metal nanoparticles or nanoclusters and emit bright fluorescence. This work will certainly open up new opportunities in fabricating a broad range of nanostructured materials with versatile functionalities.