Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Diproline Peptide into Dumbbells and Copper‐Ion‐Promoted Robust Discs

Abstract

Abstract This study demonstrated that the dipeptide Pro‐Pro, a helix initiator rather than a helix breaker, self‐assembled into a well‐defined dumbbell‐shaped morphology in ethanol when deposited onto appropriate surfaces. The resulting structure was investigated by various microscopic techniques. Interestingly, the addition of copper ions triggered the dumbbell‐shaped structure to self‐assemble into robust three dimensional discs, which were further analyzed by using various microscopic and spectroscopic tools. These specific and unique self‐assemblies can be controlled by varying the physiological conditions, and therefore show potential applications in biotechnology and biomedical fields such as diagnostic agents and treatments of various ailments associated with copper metal.