title: Tailoring molecular specificity toward a crystal facet: a lesson from biorecognition toward Pt{111}.
abstract: Surfactants with preferential adsorption to certain crystal facets have been widely employed to manipulate morphologies of colloidal nanocrystals, while mechanisms regarding the origin of facet selectivity remain an enigma. Similar questions exist in biomimetic syntheses concerning biomolecular recognition to materials and crystal surfaces. Here we present mechanistic studies on the molecular origin of the recognition toward platinum {111} facet. By manipulating the conformations and chemical compositions of a platinum {111} facet specific peptide, phenylalanine is identified as the dominant motif to differentiate {111} from other facets. The discovered recognition motif is extended to convert nonspecific peptides into {111} specific peptides. Further extension of this mechanism allows the rational design of small organic molecules that demonstrate preferential adsorption to the {111} facets of both platinum and rhodium nanocrystals. This work represents an advance in understanding the organic-inorganic interfacial interactions in colloidal systems and paves the way to rational and predictable nanostructure modulations for many applications.
authors: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
authors: Lingyan
authors: L
authors: Ruan
authors: Hadi
authors: H
authors: Ramezani-Dakhel
authors: Chin-Yi
authors: CY
authors: Chiu
authors: Enbo
authors: E
authors: Zhu
authors: Yujing
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Hendrik
authors: H
authors: Heinz
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010316:Particle Size; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000737:chemistry; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D010649:Phenylalanine; D010984:Platinum