Polypeptide nanoribbon hydrogels assembled through multiple supramolecular interactions.
We investigated the formation of nanoribbon hydrogels in a mixed system of zinc ions, bis(ligand)s, and triblock peptide copolymers. Using a combination of experimental techniques: dynamic light scattering, cryo-transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering and circular dichroism, we arrived at a model for the formation of nanoribbon hydrogels in which well-defined nanoribbons are formed out of multiple supramolecular interactions: (1) metal coordination that yields supramolecular polyelectrolytes; (2) electrostatic complexation between the supramolecular polyelectrolytes and the oppositely charged blocks of the peptide copolymers; (3) hydrogen bond and (4) hydrophobic interactions that support the secondary and ternary structure of the ribbons; (5) van der Waals interactions that enable bundling of the ribbons.
Yan
Yun
Y
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 6, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands. yunyan@pku.edu.cn
de Keizer
Arie
A
Martens
Aernout A
AA
Oliveira
Cristiano Luis Pinto
CL
Pedersen
Jan Skov
JS
de Wolf
Frits A
FA
Drechsler
Markus
M
Cohen Stuart
Martien A
MA
Besseling
Nicolaas A M
NA
D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry*
D020100:Hydrogels; D010455:Peptides