Engineering of peptide based organic-inorganic nanohybrid electrocatalysts for energy conversion and electrosynthesis

Abstract

Molecular self-assembly is a spontaneous process through which individual molecular units organize to form larger, more stable aggregates (Figure 1.1). This process is driven by a combination of intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, π-π stacking, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic effects. Self-assembly plays a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes, including the formation of cellular membranes, protein folding and DNA double-helix stabilization. Beyond its biological significance, molecular self-assembly serves as a powerful tool for designing reversible, functional and dynamic structures at various length scales, ranging from nanometers to micrometers. This phenomenon has inspired advances in material science, nanotechnology and drug delivery systems, where the ability to form ordered structures under ambient conditions is harnessed for innovative applications.