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Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets
Published on: November 2, 2011
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Design, Synthesis, Assembly, and Engineering of Peptoid Nanosheets
Ellen J Robertson1, Alessia Battigelli1, Caroline Proulx1
1Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Accounts of Chemical Research
|January 8, 2016
Summary
Researchers discovered that sequence-defined peptoid polymers self-assemble into highly ordered, free-floating two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets. These peptoid nanosheets offer a tunable platform for molecular recognition and mineral templating.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) atomically defined organic nanomaterials are crucial but lack general, high-yield synthetic methods.
- Precisely functionalizing these materials remains a challenge.
- Sequence-defined synthetic polymers offer a strategy for ordered 2D nanomaterial assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the discovery, characterization, assembly, molecular modeling, and functionalization of peptoid nanosheets.
- To explore the fundamental properties and formation mechanism of peptoid nanosheets.
- To highlight their applications as scaffolds for molecular recognition and templates for mineral growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized scanning probe, electron, and optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and surface-selective vibrational spectroscopy.
- Employed surface tensiometry and computational techniques (coarse-grained and atomistic modeling).
- Investigated the interface-catalyzed monolayer collapse mechanism for nanosheet formation.
Main Results:
- Peptoid nanosheets are molecular bilayers formed from 16-42-mer chains, spanning microns and floating in water.
- Chains are highly ordered, extended, and packed due to hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions.
- Nanosheets form via a novel interface-catalyzed monolayer collapse mechanism involving buckling.
Conclusions:
- Peptoid nanosheets represent a robust platform for discovering new materials with tunable properties.
- Functional hydrophilic loops can be engineered onto nanosheets for specific protein interactions.
- Nanosheets serve as versatile 2D templates for mineral growth and potential protein mimetics.
