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Changing the amyloid nucleation process using small molecules and substrates: a way to build two-dimensional
Chao Chen1, Chenyang Wu1, Tiantian Yang1
1School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China. lindongdong@nbu.edu.cn.
Nanoscale
|February 4, 2025
Summary
Researchers controlled the assembly of 2D nanomaterials using Fast Green molecules and substrates. This strategy enables tunable nucleation for ordered peptide assemblies, offering new pathways for nanomaterial development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomolecular Engineering
Background:
- Controlling molecular assembly on substrates is crucial for nanomaterial applications.
- Limited understanding exists regarding tunable nucleation processes in molecular assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the tunable nucleation and growth of 2D assemblies using a peptide and Fast Green (FG) molecule.
- To explore the influence of small molecules and substrates on epitaxial growth of nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for visualizing assemblies.
- Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to understand molecular interactions.
- Utilizing mica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) substrates.
Main Results:
- Epitaxial growth of 2D assemblies from nanosheets to nanofilms on mica and ordered nanofilaments on HOPG.
- FG molecules facilitated orderly nucleation without critical size or lag phase on HOPG.
- MD simulations revealed π-π interactions driving filament formation and inhibiting peptide aggregation.
Conclusions:
- A strategy for modulating amyloid peptide interactions with small molecules and substrates was developed.
- Tunable nucleation offers a pathway for controlled 2D nanomaterial assembly.
- This work advances the design of functional nanomaterials for diverse applications.
