Unusual confinement properties of a water insoluble small peptide hydrogel

Abstract

hydrogen bonds. The hydrogen bonds present in the confined water need activation energies to move through the water depleted hydrophobic environment of pyrene rings which significantly reduces water transport across the hydrogel. The compartmentalizing ability is effectively used to protect enzymes for a long time from denaturing agents like urea, heat or methanol. Overall, the presented system shows unique insolubility and confinement properties that could be a milestone in the research of soft-materials.