Free-floating ultrathin two-dimensional crystals from sequence-specific peptoid polymers

Nat Mater. 2010 May;9(5):454-60. doi: 10.1038/nmat2742. Epub 2010 Apr 11.

Abstract

The design and synthesis of protein-like polymers is a fundamental challenge in materials science. A biomimetic approach is to explore the impact of monomer sequence on non-natural polymer structure and function. We present the aqueous self-assembly of two peptoid polymers into extremely thin two-dimensional (2D) crystalline sheets directed by periodic amphiphilicity, electrostatic recognition and aromatic interactions. Peptoids are sequence-specific, oligo-N-substituted glycine polymers designed to mimic the structure and functionality of proteins. Mixing a 1:1 ratio of two oppositely charged peptoid 36mers of a specific sequence in aqueous solution results in the formation of giant, free-floating sheets with only 2.7 nm thickness. Direct visualization of aligned individual peptoid chains in the sheet structure was achieved using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy. Specific binding of a protein to ligand-functionalized sheets was also demonstrated. The synthetic flexibility and biocompatibility of peptoids provide a flexible and robust platform for integrating functionality into defined 2D nanostructures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biomimetics*
  • Buffers
  • Crystallization
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Glycine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ligands
  • Models, Chemical
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Peptoids / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Secondary*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Static Electricity
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Ligands
  • Peptoids
  • Polymers
  • Water
  • Glycine