Protein‐Engineered Functional Materials for Bioelectronics

Abstract

Structural and compositional diversities of proteins generate a number of functions for fabricating novel and advanced materials. Recent progress in protein engineering endows flexible approaches and new functionalities, which makes the fabricated materials potentially applicable in a broad spectrum of fields. Such engineering strategies by applying proteins alone or together with other molecules derive numerous functional materials such as patterned nanometal materials/nanometallic compounds, well‐designed nanocomposites, etc. Advantages in materials’ tunability, property improvement (e.g., electronic and mechanical properties, etc.), functionalities, and biocompatibility have been demonstrated, thus providing alternatives to existing materials via conventional methods. This review summarizes and discusses the strategies of fabricating functional materials using proteins as the critical contributors. Benefiting from their versatility, proteins find their roles in engineering functional materials via acting as structure‐control agents, reaction agents, and battery components, which are emphasized in this review. The strategies of each group of functions are specifically detailed. Properties of protein‐engineered functional materials and their potential applications in the fields of microelectronics, energy storage and conversion, sensor devices, etc. are also reviewed.

Functionalized Protein Nanotubes Based on the Bacteriophage vB_KleM-RaK2 Tail Sheath Protein

“…Nanoscale materials based on self-assembly of proteins are used for various purposes, including the formation of structurally different shapes; the development of biosensors; the manufacture of optical, conductive, semiconductor, and magnetic nanoelectronics materials; as well as in gene and drug-delivery devices and vaccines [1][2][3]. Viruses, as a natural source of countless self-assembling proteins, are particularly widely studied and adapted for these purposes [4,5].…”

A Protein‐Based Janus Separator for Trapping Polysulfides and Regulating Ion Transport in Lithium−Sulfur Batteries

“…From the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results (Figure 2e,f), one can see the overlapping of MoS 2 nanosheets in the pure MoS 2 dispersion, while the flakes are thinner in MoS 2 /gelatin. These results indicate that gelatin can help exfoliate and disperse MoS 2 nanosheets, and the adsorbed gelatin on the surface prevents them from re‐aggregation, thus improving the dispersion stability [28] …”

“…These results indicate that gelatin can help exfoliate and disperse MoS 2 nanosheets, and the adsorbed gelatin on the surface prevents them from re-aggregation, thus improving the dispersion stability. [28] After the MoS 2 was exfoliated in gelatin solution, it was centrifuged, and the upper stable dispersion was mixed with a 25 wt % gelatin solution to increase the viscosity for electrospinning. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the obtained gelatin/MoS 2 NF can be seen in Figure 3a, and the inset is the corresponding TEM image.…”

Recent Development of Alginate-Based Materials and Their Versatile Functions in Biomedicine, Flexible Electronics, and Environmental Uses

“…With the continuous development of biomedicine, tissue engineering, flexible electronics, and bioelectronics, − the study of natural polysaccharide SA-based materials, especially hydrogels, have repeatedly found their new frontiers. Although the research of this natural macromolecule has developed rapidly and promoted the development of multidisciplinary integration, there is still a lack of a comprehensive review of SA, especially gel forming strategies and special functional applications.…”