posted on 2022-12-27, 13:05authored byRobert
G. Alberstein, Jesse L. Prelesnik, Elias Nakouzi, Shuai Zhang, James J. De Yoreo, Jim Pfaendtner, F. Akif Tezcan, Christopher J. Mundy
Understanding the basis of templated
molecular assembly
on a solid
surface requires a fundamental comprehension of both short- and long-range
aqueous response to the surface under a variety of solution conditions.
Herein we provide a detailed picture of how the molecular-scale response
to different mica surfaces yields distinct solvent orientations that
produce quasi-static directional potentials onto which macromolecules
can adsorb. We connect this directionality to observed (a)symmetric
epitaxial alignment of designed proteins onto these surfaces, corroborate
our findings with 3D atomic force microscopy experiments, and identify
slight differences in surface structure as the origin of this effect.
Our work provides a detailed picture of the intrinsic electrolyte
response in the vicinity of mineral interfaces, with clear predictions
for experiment, and highlights the role of solvent on the predictive
assembly of hierarchical materials on mineral surfaces.