Self-assembled peptide nanostructures as a versatile tool for fabrication of nanostructured

Abstract

Several peptides such as amyloid like peptides (ALPs) and peptide amphiphiles (PAs) were synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis technique. These peptides were utilized in fabrication of nanostructured materials. ALPs with amino (Ac-KFFAAK-Am) and carboxylate (Ac-EFFAAE-Am) functional groups were used in growth of titanium dioxide (titania) in solution. On the other hand, PA with amino group (lauryl-VVAGK-Am) was used in growth of titania by atomic layer deposition method. Obtained nanostructured titania in each case was used in construction of dye-sensitized solar cells. Peptide amphiphile with phytochelatin mimetic sequence and adamantyl functionality (ADAc-6-Ahx-GECECECG-Am) was used in noncovalent functionalization of electrospun hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) mesh; HPβCD mesh functionalized with peptide was further used in metal ion scavenging. PA with sequence lauryl-VVAGH-Am was used in noncovalent encapsulation of zinc phthalocyanine derivative. New photophysical properties of encapsulated chromophore were studied and ultrafast energy transfer was observed. L and D peptide amphiphiles (L/D-pyrenebutyryl-6-Ahx-VVAGH-Am and L/D-lauryl-VVAGH-Am) were used to induce chiral organization of achiral chromophore (pyrene) in self-assembled nanofibers of PAs. Two strategies were involved to induce chiral organization: first strategy envisioned conjugation of pyrene to peptide sequence, whereas second strategy involved direct encapsulation of the chromophore. Achiral pyrene molecules organized in supramolecular chiral manner were observed to demonstrate circular dichroism.