Influence of amino acid side chains on the formation of two component self-assembling nanofibrous hydrogels

Abstract

Herein, we report the synthesis and optimization of an aqueous phase two-component co-assembled nanofibrous hydrogel based on charge-transfer (CT) between pyrenebutyric acid and naphthalene diimide-capped groups. This donor–acceptor CT interaction is a powerful driving force that can induce self-assembly in the aqueous phase even if the molecule contains only a single amino acid. The intermolecular CT interactions for mixed components can also be visualized in the quantum-chemical approach. This two-component supramolecular co-assembly provides a new path for the design of self-assembled nanomaterials.