2D Layered Dipeptide Crystals for Piezoelectric Applications

authors	Zelenovskii, PS; Romanyuk, K; Liberato, MS; Brandao, P; Ferreira, FF; Kopyl, S; Mafra, LM; Alves, WA; Kholkin, AL
nationality	International
journal	ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
author keywords	2D materials; organic piezoelectrics; peptide nanostructures; diphenylalanine; piezoelectricity
keywords	L-AMINO-ACIDS; MOLECULAR AGGREGATION; PEPTIDE NANOTUBES; 1/1 COMPLEXES; MOS2; MONOLAYERS; ENERGY
abstract	2D piezoelectric materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides are attracting significant attention because they offer various benefits over bulk piezoelectrics. In this work, the fabrication of layered biomolecular crystals of diphenylalanine (FF) obtained via a co-assembly of l,l- and d,d- enantiomers of FF monomers is reported. Their crystal structure, thermal and chemical stabilities, and piezoelectric properties are investigated. Single crystal X-ray diffraction results show that FF enantiomers are arranged in the form of bilayers consisting of monomers with alternating chirality packed into a tape-like monoclinic structure belonging to a polar space group P2(1). Each bilayer (approximate to 1.5 nm thick) demonstrates strong out-of-plane piezoelectricity (d(33) approximate to 20 pm V-1) that is almost an order of magnitude higher than in the archetypical piezoelectric material quartz. The grown crystals demonstrate better thermal and chemical stabilities than self-assembled hexagonal FF nanotubes studied in the past. Piezoelectric bilayers, being held via weak aromatic interaction in the bulk crystals, can be exfoliated by mechanical or chemical methods, thus resulting in a 2D piezoelectric material, which can find various applications in biocompatible and ecologically friendly electromechanical microdevices, such as sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting elements used in implantable and wearable electronics.
publisher	WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
issn	1616-301X
isbn	1616-3028
year published	2021
volume	31
issue	43
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1002/adfm.202102524
web of science category	9
subject category	Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Chemistry, Physical; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Physics, Applied; Physics, Condensed Matter
unique article identifier	WOS:000669240700001