Liquid crystalline peptide nanowires

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behavior of peptide nanowire is presented. An aromatic dipeptide rapidly assembles into robust one-dimensional nanowires having a large aspect ratio in a volatile organic solvent. The stable dispersion of rigid nanowires shows a colloidal nematic liquid crystalline phase over a broad concentration, which is particularly advantageous for fabricating well-aligned nanowire morphologies under an external field.