Conducting microhelices from self-assembly of protein fibrilsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: S1 Photo of PEDOT-S:protein complex pellet, S2 Phototos of washing solutions, S3 Calibration curve for unbound PEDOT-S determination, S4 CD spectra of PEDOT-S decorated superstructures on glass, S5 High resolution SEM images of PEDOT-S covered superstructures. Experimental details. See DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00068e

• Main Authors: Bäcklund, Fredrik G, Elfwing, Anders, Musumeci, Chiara, Ajjan, Fátima, Babenko, Viktoria, Dzwolak, Wojciech, Solin, Niclas, Inganäs, Olle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28.06.2017
• ISSN: 1744-683X; 1744-6848
• DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00068e

Herein we utilize insulin to prepare amyloid based chiral helices with either right or left handed helicity. We demonstrate that the helices can be utilized as structural templates for the conducting polymer alkoxysulfonate poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT-S). The chirality of the helical assembly is transferred to PEDOT-S as demonstrated by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and Circular Dichroism (CD). Analysis of the helices by conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) shows significant conductivity. In addition, the morphology of the template structure is stabilized by PEDOT-S. These conductive helical structures represent promising candidates in our quest for THz resonators. Self-assembly of conducting polymer onto chiral amyloid superstructures.