Peptide-based tune able piezo responsive nano materials developed can help in energy harvesting and biodevice applications.
A group of Indian researchers have developed different nanostructures by controlling the self-assembly pathway of the peptides. This control over the self-assembly process enables the adjustment of material properties in response to mechanical stimuli, effectively enhancing their piezo responsive characteristics that can be used in energy harvesting, biodevices, soft robotics, flexible electronic and sensing devices.
Self-assembly of peptides, technically called supramolecular self-assembly, involves the spontaneous organization of small molecules into larger, structured formations driven by non-covalent interactions. This process is fundamental for creating nanodevices used in fields like electronics, optoelectronics, and biomedicine, where precise molecular control is crucial for performance.
Piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress. This characteristic makes them ideal for applications in sensors, actuators, and energy-harvesting devices, where mechanical energy is converted into electrical signals or vice versa.
Combining supramolecular self-assembly with piezoelectricity offers a powerful approach in designing next-generation nanomaterials with dynamic and customizable properties. This innovation not only enhances the functionality of smart materials but also paves the way for breakthroughs in technology and material science, driving progress in various fields from healthcare to electronics.
Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, both autonomous institutes under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have revealed a complex interplay between kinetic and thermodynamic states in the supramolecular self-assembly of peptides by manipulating multiple parameters including temperature and solvent compositions. This complexity plays a crucial role in determining the final structure and properties of the assembled nanomaterials.
Reference: PIB