Work

Charge Directed Selective Co‐Assembly of Ionic Complementary Peptide Binary Mixtures

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Multicomponent peptide nanostructures offer a powerful platform for designing functional materials, yet controlling their co‐assembly remains a key challenge. Here, we harness electrostatic molecular recognition to drive the selective co‐assembly of five amphiphilic ionic peptide binary mixtures (M 1 –M 5 ). Our results revealed that charge distribution governs β‐sheet strand alignment (parallel vs. antiparallel), assembly kinetics, and hydrogel viscoelasticity. Mixing stoichiometry and pH significantly influences co‐assembly behavior, nanofiber morphology, and network structure (self‐sorted vs. hetero‐aggregated). At pH 7, equimolar mixtures undergo nucleation‐driven co‐assembly into hetero‐aggregates, immediately forming well‐defined nanofibers, while non‐equimolar ratios yield altered morphologies. At a slightly acidic pH of 5–7, both E and K side chains are charged, enabling complementary ionic interactions that promote co‐assembly and gelation. Outside this pH range, co‐assembly is impaired. Notably, M 1 forms β‐sheets and hydrogels at acidic pH (≤4) via independent self‐assembly of its components, suggesting self‐sorted fibers. Overall, we demonstrate that tuning charge complementarity, ionization state, and stoichiometry enables precise control over the molecular, nanoscale, and mechanical properties of multicomponent peptide assemblies, providing a framework for the rational design of advanced peptide‐based materials.

Source: Small

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202513140