Jin Haibao, Ding Yan-Huai, Wang Mingming, Song Yang, Liao Zhihao, Newcomb Christina J, Wu Xuepeng, Tang Xian-Qiong, Li Zheng, Lin Yuehe, Yan Feng, Jian Tengyue, Mu Peng, Chen Chun-Long
Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
Institute of Rheological Mechanics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411105, China.
Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 18;9(1):270. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02059-1.
Despite recent advances in the assembly of organic nanotubes, conferral of sequence-defined engineering and dynamic response characteristics to the tubules remains a challenge. Here we report a new family of highly designable and dynamic nanotubes assembled from sequence-defined peptoids through a unique "rolling-up and closure of nanosheet" mechanism. During the assembly process, amorphous spherical particles of amphiphilic peptoid oligomers crystallize to form well-defined nanosheets before folding to form single-walled nanotubes. These nanotubes undergo a pH-triggered, reversible contraction-expansion motion. By varying the number of hydrophobic residues of peptoids, we demonstrate tuning of nanotube wall thickness, diameter, and mechanical properties. Atomic force microscopy-based mechanical measurements show peptoid nanotubes are highly stiff (Young's Modulus ~13-17 GPa). We further demonstrate the precise incorporation of functional groups within nanotubes and their applications in water decontamination and cellular adhesion and uptake. These nanotubes provide a robust platform for developing biomimetic materials tailored to specific applications.
尽管近期在有机纳米管组装方面取得了进展，但赋予纳米管序列定义的工程特性和动态响应特性仍然是一项挑战。在此，我们报告了一类新的高度可设计且动态的纳米管，它们由序列定义的类肽通过独特的“纳米片卷起和封闭”机制组装而成。在组装过程中，两亲性类肽低聚物的无定形球形颗粒结晶形成定义明确的纳米片，然后折叠形成单壁纳米管。这些纳米管会经历pH触发的可逆收缩 - 膨胀运动。通过改变类肽的疏水残基数量，我们展示了对纳米管壁厚度、直径和机械性能的调控。基于原子力显微镜的力学测量表明类肽纳米管具有很高的刚度（杨氏模量约为13 - 17 GPa）。我们进一步证明了功能基团在纳米管内的精确掺入及其在水净化以及细胞粘附和摄取方面的应用。这些纳米管为开发针对特定应用定制的仿生材料提供了一个强大的平台。
