Vertical Alignment of Size-Controlled Self-Assembled Diphenylalanine Peptide Nanotubes Using Polyethersulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes On Silicon

Abstract

The strong piezoelectricity in diphenylalanine peptide develops its technological potential as a smart material. To achieve insight into the vertical alignment of size-controlled self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanotubes, an aromatic peptide of diphenylalanine (FF) was applied in this research as the model peptide. Here we found for the first time a vertical alignment of size-controlled self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanotubes during the peptide self-assembly process of nanotubes composite using polyethersulfone (PES) membrane in situ and ex situ peregnation of peptide nano tube. The membrane structure was investigated using fluofenamic acid as a fluorescent tag and a first-line solution containing dipeptides and hexafluoropropane (HFP). The results showed a vertical alignment of size-controlled self-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanotubes formation on silicon. The STM and SEM results indicated the formation of different nanostructures including short nanorods, nanotubes branched nanotubes and dendritic nanostructures of peptide in PES membrane. Our novel approach based on the PES membrane and HFP allows one to controllably fabricate various peptide-based nanostructures on silicon.