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Macroscopic Properties of Biomimetic Ceramics Are Governed by the Molecular Recognition at the Bioorganic–Inorganic Interface
Author(s) -
Kilper Stefan,
Facey Sandra J.,
Burghard Zaklina,
Hauer Bernhard,
Rothenstein Dirk,
Bill Joachim
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201705842
Subject(s) - materials science , biomineralization , ceramic , molecular recognition , nanotechnology , bioorganic chemistry , biomimetics , modulus , toughness , molecule , composite material , chemical engineering , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering , enzyme
Bioinspired materials design aims for high‐performing composite materials based on natural biomineralization processes and biomineral architectures. A key component to the research is the bioorganic–inorganic interface, one of the most crucial parameters for controlling the material properties. In this study, genetically engineered phages expressing an inorganic‐binding peptide for the molecular recognition of a ceramic material is exploited to generate thin film multilayer assemblies, with the phage template as minority component. The bioorganic–inorganic interface in the ceramic (zinc oxide, ZnO) multilayer systems is strengthened by the ZnO‐binding motif HSSHH of a peptide to increase Young's modulus and hardness. Applying a point‐mutated version of the peptide, DSSHH, which modulates the interface forces, shows an increased fracture toughness without deteriorating the Young's modulus and the hardness. Molecular matching of the organic phase and its modulation in order to form a specific interface is shown to be important in controlling material properties like in natural biominerals. With this tool in hand, it is not only possible to imitate the structure of biominerals but also to genetically control the molecular recognition of bioorganic molecules to induce macroscopic effects in synthetic composite materials.