Design of self-assembling peptide nanotubes with delocalized electronic states

A rational approach for the design of self-assembling peptide nanotubes with delocalized electronic states was analyzed. It was found that the long-range supremolecular order afforded by the directed backbone hydrogen bonding interactions in self-assembling peptide nanotube can provide a facile method for the preparation of the new class of synthetic biomaterials. It was also found that the redox mediated cyclic peptide self-assembly can act as a both shepherds for peptide self-association and the foundation for the electronic properties of the nanotubular assembly. The results show that the peptide nanotubes exhibit high structural stability when supported by a substrate and persist even after twp month exposure to ambient temperature and atmosphere.