Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Self-Assembling Peptide-Functionalized Carbon Nanostructures

Carbon nanostructures (CNSs) are attractive components to attain nanocomposites, yet their hydrophobic nature and strong tendency to aggregate often limit their use in aqueous conditions and negatively impact their properties. In this work, carbon nanohorns (CNHs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene (G) are first oxidized, and then reacted to covalently anchor the self-assembling tripeptide L-Leu-D-Phe-D-Phe to improve their dispersibility in phosphate buffer, and favor the formation of hydrogels formed by the self-organizing L-Leu-D-Phe-D-Phe present in solution. The obtained nanocomposites are then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), oscillatory rheology, and conductivity measurements to gain useful insights as to the key factors that determine self-healing ability for the future design of this type of nanocomposites. Carbon nanostructures (CNS) morphology and functionalization effects are studied to attain nanocomposite and supramolecular hydrogels with a self-assembling tripeptide. The latter is covalently anchored onto carbon nanotubes and carbon nanohorns, and the resulting nanocomposite soft matter is characterized at the nanoscale and macroscale to rationalize the self-healing ability of the hydrogel, and the CNS influence on peptide fibrillation in aqueous buffer.image

Automated summary

Carbon nanostructures are modified to improve their dispersibility in aqueous conditions and favor the formation of hydrogels. The morphology and functionalization effects of the nanostructures are studied to understand their impact on the self-healing ability of the hydrogel and peptide fibrillation in aqueous buffer.