Effect of hydrophilic or hydrophobic interactions on the self-assembly behavior and micro-morphology of a collagen mimetic peptide

Abstract Peptide self-assembles with bionic properties have been widely utilized for bioactive drugs and biomedical materials. Collagen mimetic peptide (CMP) gains more attention due to its unique advantages in biosecurity function. Unfortunately, the self-assembly mechanism of CMP, particularly effect intermolecular forces on behavior morphology, is still unrecognized. Herein, hydrophilic glycidol (GCD) hydrophobic Y-glycidyl ether oxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GLH) were grafted onto side chains CMP through ring-opening reaction (GCD/CMP, GLH/CMP). Subsequently, effects interactions morphology further studied. The results substantiated that GCD/CMP GLH/CMP followed “nucleation-growth” mechanism, supererogatory groups prolonged nucleation growth time self-assembly. Noted interaction had stronger driving than CMP. exhibited fibrous 3D network microsphere respectively. Furthermore, better resistance degradation. Consequently, microtopography degradation could be controlled by between which would provide a way subsequent purposeful design Graphical abstract