Controlling the surface chemistry of graphite by engineered self-assembled peptides.

ABSTRACT: The systematic control over surface chemistry is a long-standing challenge in biomedical and nanotechnological applications for graphitic materials. As a novel approach, we utilize graphite-binding dodecapeptides that self-assemble into dense domains to form monolayer-thick long-range-ordered films on graphite. Specifically, the peptides are rationally designed through their amino acid sequences to predictably display hydrophilic and hydrophobic characteristics while maintaining their self-assembly capabilities on the solid substrate. The peptides are observed to maintain a high tolerance for sequence modification, allowing control over surface chemistry via their amino acid sequence. Furthermore, through a single-step coassembly of two differently designed peptides, we predictably and pre

SUBMITTER: Khatayevich D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3374047 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature