Chemically stable diphenylalanine peptide microtubes: structure, properties, application.

Abstract

The diphenylalanine (FF) is one of the self-assembling peptides which have recently become a focus of intensive research in the field of nanomaterials due to its promising applications in various technological fields [1]. FF structures possess unique physical and chemical properties such as high rigidity [2], unique optical properties related to quantum confinement of electrons and holes [3], appreciable thermal stability as well as exceptional piezoelectric effect [4] and ferroelectricity [5]. FF structures have shown great potential to be employed in nano and micro devices [1,5,6]. The chemical stability of these structures is a necessary prerequisite for their successful application. However, in solution, the peptide nanotubes can easily be dissolved in several solvents including water. The instability of FF tubes in solution is a major limitation to realizing FF structures