Aligned Macroscopic Domains of Optoelectronic Nanostructures Prepared via Shear‐Flow Assembly of Peptide Hydrogels

Abstract

A facile technique is reported to prepare globally aligned arrays of self‐assembled peptide nanostructures within macroscopic hydrogels starting from a solution of peptide molecules with embedded π‐conjugated oligomers. The alignment of the π‐stacked conduits within these macrostructures is verified with polarized optical microscopy and leads to anisotropic photophysical and electrical properties.

Fluidic‐Directed Assembly of Aligned Oligopeptides with π‐Conjugated Cores

“…[ 27,28 ] In this way, pipette processing yields highly aligned macrostructures as observed in SEM images of critical point dried fi bers and further evinced by their anisotropic spectral and electrical properties. [ 27,28 ] However, it is not possible to consistently and reliably reproduce the 1D macrostructure fabricated by "human-controlled" pipette dispensing. In our work, manually dispensed DFAA and DFAG macrostructures often exhibit random orientations, as evidenced by optical properties identical to those of the unaligned gel networks.…”

Bioinspired Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Highly Ordered Structures

“…[110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126] For example, the chiral nematic liquid crystal phase of a 1D rod-like virus can act as a template to enable its self-assembly in the presence of monomers, crosslinkers, and initiators. [112] After polymerization and etching away the virus templates, aligned hydrogels remain.…”

Engineering materials from proteins

“…65 Covalent attachment of functional groups to these fibers enables the preparation of bioactive hydrogels 66 or the control over the spatial positioning of organic chromophores. 67 …”