Synthesis and characterization of p-conjugated peptide-based supramolecular materials*

We describe the synthesis, characterization, and fabrication of bioelectronic materials derived from small oligopeptides containing π-conjugated subunits directly embedded into peptide backbones. The rapid incorporation of π-conjugated subunits directly into peptide backbones was accomplished through an on-resin dimerization procedure recently explored in our research. We investigated these peptides’ abilities to self-assemble in aqueous environments into 1D nanostructures with intimate π–π interactions. Finally, we discuss a simple processing method to develop aligned networks of 1D π-conjugated peptide nano structures where the resulting electronic and photophysical properties are altered as a direct impact of the aligned π-conjugated network.