Kinetically controlled self-assembly of redox-active ferrocene-diphenylalanine: from nanospheres to nanofibers

Nanotechnology. 2013 Nov 22;24(46):465603. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/24/46/465603. Epub 2013 Oct 24.

Abstract

Putting metals into organic compounds such as peptides can lead to many new desirable properties. Here we designed a novel bioorganometallic molecule, ferrocene-diphenylalanine (Fc-FF), and investigated its self-assembly behavior. We directly observed a morphological transition from metastable nanospheres to nanofibers, which led to the formation of a self-supporting hydrogel. The strong hydrophobic interaction of the Fc moiety was suggested to have a key role in this kinetically controlled self-assembly process. Moreover, the redox center of the ferrocene group further allowed us to reversibly control the self-assembly behavior of Fc-FF by altering its redox state.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Circular Dichroism
  • Dipeptides
  • Ferrous Compounds / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Kinetics
  • Light
  • Metallocenes
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Particle Size
  • Phenylalanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenylalanine / chemistry
  • Rheology
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Ferrous Compounds
  • Metallocenes
  • phenylalanylphenylalanine
  • Phenylalanine
  • ferrocene