Multi-Set Point Intermittent Contact (MUSIC) Mode Atomic Force Microscopy of Oligothiophene Fibrils

Abstract

We developed MUSIC-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) to emulate intermittent contact mode AFM without a feedback loop and in the absence of lateral forces. This single-pass approach is based on maps of amplitude-phase-distance curves and allows the height and phase images to be simultaneously obtained for almost any amplitude set point. This is advantageous for determining the shape and nanomechanical properties of very soft and fragile samples. As an example, we studied supramolecular aggregates of oligothiophenes, which form ≈15 nm wide fibrils with a rigid core and a soft shell.

Oligopeptide‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of Oligothiophenes: Co‐Assembly and Chirality Transfer

“…[39,40] It should be noted that QTDA showed a much larger redshift compared with that of QT, which indicates that the assembly of QT and QTDA should be quite different. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] It would be interesting to investigate whether such chirality transfer could be realized by weak interactions between a chiral oligopeptide and the achiral oligothiophenes. [9] It is known that when chiral peptide segments are covalently attached to achiral p-conjugated systems, the chirality will be transferred to the conjugated oligomers.…”

“…[9] It is known that when chiral peptide segments are covalently attached to achiral p-conjugated systems, the chirality will be transferred to the conjugated oligomers. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] It would be interesting to investigate whether such chirality transfer could be realized by weak interactions between a chiral oligopeptide and the achiral oligothiophenes. Therefore, CD spectra were recorded to characterize the chiral properties of the QT@P and QTDA@P gels.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Oligopeptides are one of the most attractive biomolecules to adjust the stacking mode of p-conjugated oligomers because of their structural variation and their ability to form various secondary structures, such as a-helices and b-sheets. [9][10][11][12][13][14] These moieties have been covalently linked to oligopeptides and their assembly behavior and the corresponding properties were investigated. [9][10][11][12][13][14] These moieties have been covalently linked to oligopeptides and their assembly behavior and the corresponding properties were investigated.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Oligopeptides are one of the most attractive biomolecules to adjust the stacking mode of p-conjugated oligomers because of their structural variation and their ability to form various secondary structures, such as a-helices and b-sheets. [6][7][8] Extended p-conjugated oligomers, such as oligothiophenes [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s, [22][23][24] have good electro-optical properties and show many potential applications. [9][10][11][12][13][14] These moieties have been covalently linked to oligopeptides and their assembly behavior and the corresponding properties were investigated.…”

“…[6][7][8] Extended p-conjugated oligomers, such as oligothiophenes [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and oligo(p-phenylenevinylene)s, [22][23][24] have good electro-optical properties and show many potential applications. [9][10][11][12][13][14] These moieties have been covalently linked to oligopeptides and their assembly behavior and the corresponding properties were investigated. Although this is a good way to control the self-assembly of the p-conjugated system, the lengthy synthesis of large building blocks can be a problem.…”