Peptide nanorings

Synthetic control over the physical and chemical properties of a nanoparticle can be tuned according to its biological micro- or nano-environment. Some of the most notable platforms that are currently being used for the controlled synthesis of metal oxides include the apoprotein ferritin, viral capsids or bacterial cages however, recently adapted biotemplates, such as self-assemble peptide nanorings or porous butterfly wings, have been used as unique platforms and have yielded interesting structures. These molecular architectures offer constrained environments that yield a small distribution of nanoparticle size under ambient conditions, and will be discussed as viable alternatives for the synthesis of functional nanomaterials. 

Hydrolysis of Metal Oxides Using Peptide Nanorings as Templates... 

Synthesis of Ferroelectric BT Nanopartides Using Peptide Nanorings... 

While the use of metal oxide nanoparticles is dependent on their synthesis and subsequent magnetic or ceramic properties, size homogeneity is also necessary because the nanoparticles properties are related directly to their size. Natural templates, such as butterfly scales, peptide nanorings and bacterial or protein cages, can be tuned to induce narrow size distributions that have yet to be seen within an industrial setting. These chemically engineered systems have been proven to serve as viable nanoscale templates for the constrained biomimetic synthesis of higher-ordered metal oxide nanoparticles with unique properties specific to their synthesis. 

Samson,)., Manning, E.P., Yang, N.-I. and Matsui, H. (2006) Room temperature synthesis of ferroelectric barium titanate nanoparticles using peptide nanorings... 

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