CHED 960 |
| The solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in polar solvents is essential for utilizing their unique properties in a range of biological applications. Experiments by Dieckmann et al are focused on designing water-soluble peptides that are able to reversibly cyclize and wrap around SWNTs. Our current model postulates that the SWNT-templated peptide-peptide hydrogen bonding association overcomes the entropic loss due to peptide wrapping, driving a cooperative assembly to uniformly coat SWNTs. However, there are many unanswered questions about the behavior of these systems at the molecular level, such as the importance of inter-peptide hydrogen bonding and peptide-SWNT interactions. Using free energy computer simulation techniques, we quantify the entropic and enthalpic factors that affect the peptide wrapping of the SWNT. Understanding the balance of these factors will help guide rational changes in peptide design.
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Physical Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |
