Peptide Mediated Synthesis of Chiral Gold Nanoparticle

Chiral structure controlled at nanoscale provides a new route to achieve intriguing optical properties such as polarization control and negative refractive index. However, asymmetric structure control with nanometer precision is difficult to accomplish due to limited resolution and complex processes of conventional methods. In this regards, utilizing chirality transfer occurring at organic-inorganic materials offers viable route to overcome these limitations. Previously we developed a unique synthesis strategy that characteristic of molecule is transferred to gold nanoparticle morphology. Based on the system, here, we demonstrated novel chiral gold nanostructures exploiting chirality transfer between peptide and high-Miller-index gold surfaces. Enantioselective adsorption of peptides results in unequal development of nanoparticle surface and this asymmetric evolution leads to highly twisted chiral element in single nanoparticle making unprecedented 432 helicoid morphology. The synthesized helicoid nanoparticle showed strong optical activity (dissymmetry factor of 0.2 at 622 nm) which was substantiated by distinct transmittance color change of helicoid solution under polarized light. Modulation of peptide recognition and crystal growth enabled diverse morphological evolution and the structural alterations provided tailored optical response, such as optical activity, handedness, and resonance wavelength. We believe that our peptide directed synthesis strategy offers a truly new paradigm in chiral metamaterial fabrication and will be beneficial in the rational design of chiral nanostructures for use in novel applications.