Design of self-assembling peptide nanotubes with delocalized electronic states

Redox-promoted self-assembly of an eight-residue cyclic D,L-α-peptide bearing four 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic diimide (NDI) side chains results in the formation of electronically delocalized peptide nanotubes hundreds of nm in length. The supramolecular approach described provides a rational basis for the design and fabrication of 1-D materials with potential utility in optical and electronic devices.