Controlled biosilification using self-assembled short peptides A6K and V6K

Abstract

We report the molecular self-assembly of two amphiphilic peptides (A 6 K and V 6 K) and the application of their self-assemblies as organic templates to direct biosilica formation. Under ambient conditions, A 6 K selfassembled into nanotubes 2.7 nm tall and approximately 1 mm to 2 mm long. In contrast, V 6 K selfassembled into lamellar-stack nanostructures approximately 4 nm tall and under 100 nm long. The selfassembled peptide nanostructures were used as organic templates to direct biosilica formation.Comparing with the self-assembled structures formed by the peptide/anions system, novel silica morphologies can be obtained by changing the peptide composition, using different anions, and applying electrostatic/flow fields. We observed that the presence of anions is important but not enough to produce ordered silica structures with novel morphologies. This study provides further understanding of silica biomineralization tailored by assembled peptides, which offers a simple but efficient method to control the formation of inorganic material.

Self‐assembling amphiphilic peptides

“…Silica templating by SLPs comprising A 6 K and V 6 K was studied by Wang et al . . A 6 K self‐assembled into nanofibres, whereas V 6 K formed sheets with a lamellar stacking arrangement.…”

“…The peptide self-assembled into nanofibres, which were then used as a template to create silica nanofibres. Silica templating by SLPs comprising A 6 K and V 6 K was studied by Wang et al [170]. A 6 K selfassembled into nanofibres, whereas V 6 K formed sheets with a lamellar stacking arrangement.…”

Silica templating of a self-assembling peptide amphiphile that forms nanotapes

“…The self-assembly of peptide amphiphile C 16 -KTTKS has been investigated by our group recently. 20 We reported that the PA self-assembles into extended nanotape structures, based on stacked PA bilayers, above a critical aggregation concentration.…”

“…In this study we investigate the use of a collagen stimulating PA, C 16 -KTTKS as a template to construct nanotape silica structures using the solgel condensation reaction of TEOS. The self-assembly of C 16 -KTTKS has been well characterised by us previously. [20][21][22] To our knowledge this is the rst report on the production of at tapelike silica nanostructures using a PA as the organic template.…”

“…The Guler group reported the formation of silica nanobres by using an amyloid-like peptide, Ac-KFFAAK-Am as a template to mimic the biomineralisation process. 15 SLPs comprising A 6 K and V 6 K were studied by Wang et al 16 A 6 K self-assembled into nanobers whereas V 6 K formed sheets with a lamellar stacking arrangement. Various anions were introduced to observe the inuence on the morphology of the self-assembled nanostructures.…”