Peptide-based solids: Porosity and zeolitic behavior

Abstract

Among the greatest challenges in the field of microporous solids is the development of ''smart''materials, displaying environment-triggered property tuning. These could be used both in traditionaland new applications of microporous materials. In this context, supramolecular peptide-based solidshave recently emerged as interesting alternatives to standard microporous solids, such as zeolites andcarbon molecular sieves. They possess framework and conformational flexibility, are kinetically stableand reasonably thermally resistant. Important properties such as pore size and inner wall chemistry canbe controlled through appropriate chemical modification of the peptide molecules. Peptide-basedporous solids have permanent microporosity, often with molecularly sized cavities created by removalof co-crystallised solvent. Some have already been successfully tested as adsorbents and permselectivematerials, confirming their potential. This review covers the identification, synthesis, characterizationtechniques and properties of peptide-based microporous solids, discussing their most uniquefunctionalities.