Supramolecular Hybrid Nanohelices Guided by Enantiomeric Peptide Assembly

Abstract

Supramolecules having chirality have attracted recognition for its characteristic nanostructures, such as helices and twists. Self-assembly approach is the method to control its chiral nanostructures and enantiomeric peptides has been studied for its easy synthesis and biocompatibility. If metal nanoparticles like gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are hybridized with these chiral nanostructures, it can exhibit the optical property known as chiral plasmon due to helical arrangement of AuNPs. This unique property can be changed through size/shape control of AuNPs. However, control of AuNPs under a few nanometer with specific morphology was challenging. Herein, The AuNPs were synthesized within a precisely designed helical peptide nanostructure (<5 nm) with nanoconfinement effects and can induce changes in the resulting chiral plasmon effect of hybrid nanocomposites. This work will provide the understanding the assembly of enantiomeric peptides and the way they guide the shape and size of AuNPs.