Mimicking Biosilicification: Programmed Coassembly of Peptide–Polymer Nanotapes and Silica

Abstract

Spinning a yarn: A biomimetic approach to hierarchically structured silica composite fibers mimics the process of bioglass fiber formation. The fibers, which tend to form bundles (see image), are formed in seconds by combining the self-assembly of peptide–polymer conjugates with peptide-directed silicification. These reinforced silica fibers exhibit a structure with six levels of hierarchical order.