Peptide-based solids: porosity and zeolitic behavior

Abstract

Among the greatest challenges in the field of microporous solids is the development of ''smart'' materials, displaying environment-triggered property tuning. These could be used both in traditional and new applications of microporous materials. In this context, supramolecular peptide-based solids have recently emerged as interesting alternatives to standard microporous solids, such as zeolites and carbon molecular sieves. They possess framework and conformational flexibility, are kinetically stable and reasonably thermally resistant. Important properties such as pore size and inner wall chemistry can be controlled through appropriate chemical modification of the peptide molecules. Peptide-based porous solids have permanent microporosity, often with molecularly sized cavities created by removal of co-crystallised solvent. Some have already been successfully tested as adsorbents and permselective materials, confirming their potential. This review covers the identification, synthesis, characterization techniques and properties of peptide-based microporous solids, discussing their most unique functionalities.

Hydrophobic dipeptide crystals: a promising Ag-free class of ultramicroporous materials showing argon/oxygen adsorption selectivity

“…Such a material should have highly hydrophobic and less than 0.5 nm-wide pores, and a porosity of, at least, 20 %. With the large numbers of organic microporous solids discovered in recent years, there are plenty of candidates to be tested 65,66 .…”

Thermal analysis of clathrates of tripeptide LLL with organic compounds and water

“…Because of their porous structures, these oligopeptide materials have zeolite-like properties [17][18][19][20][21]. However, unlike inorganic zeolites [22,23], porous van der Waals crystals [24], metal-organic frameworks (MOF) [25], or dense-packed crystals of supramolecular receptors (such as calixarenes) [26,27], the oligopeptide materials are able to bind larger amounts of gases at smaller partial pressures [28].…”

Thermally induced cyclization of L‐isoleucyl‐L‐alanine in solid state: Effect of dipeptide structure on reaction temperature and self‐assembly

“…Nanotechnologies based on short‐chain peptides allow to obtain new materials for various applications . Such materials are biocompatible and environment‐friendly and often considered as good alternatives to inorganic nanomaterials . Along with linear dipeptides, their cyclic analogs, denoted as 2,5‐diketopiperazines (DKPs), are actively studied for these purposes .…”