Single-step fabrication of patterned gold film array by an engineered multi-functional peptide

This study constitutes a demonstration of the biological route to controlled nano-fabrication via modular multi-functional inorganic-binding peptides. Specifically, we use gold- and silica-binding peptide sequences, fused into a single molecule via a structural peptide spacer, to assemble pre-synthesized gold nanoparticles on silica surface, as well as to synthesize nanometallic particles in situ on the peptide-patterned regions. The resulting film-like gold nanoparticle arrays with controlled spatial organization are characterized by various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The described bio-enabled, single-step synthetic process offers many advantages over conventional approaches for surface modifications, self-assembly and device fabrication due to the peptides’ modularity, inherent biocompatibility, material specificity and catalytic activity in aqueous environments. Our results showcase the potential of artificially-derived peptides to play a key role in simplifying the assembly and synthesis of multi-material nano-systems in environmentally benign processes.

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► Combinatorially selected inorganic-binding peptides are versatile molecular linkers.
► Peptides control assembly and in situ synthesis of nanometallic particles on surface.
► Tested peptides can functionalize surfaces at ambient conditions.
► Bio-enabled fabrication route offers modularity, flexibility, biocompatibility.