π-Conjugated small molecules based on a [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]benzothiophene (BTBT) unit are of great research interest in the development of solution-processable semiconducting materials owing to their excellent charge-transport characteristics. However, the BTBT π-core has yet to be demonstrated in the form of electro-active one-dimensional (1D) nanowires that are self-assembled in aqueous media for potential use in bioelectronics and tissue engineering. Here we report the design, synthesis, and self-assembly of benzothienobenzothiophene (BTBT)–peptide conjugates, the BTBT–peptide (BTBT-C₃–COHN-Ahx-VVAGKK-Am) and the C₈-BTBT–peptide (C₈-BTBT-C₃–COHN-Ahx-VVAGKK-Am), as β-sheet forming amphiphilic molecules, which self-assemble into highly uniform nanofibers in water with diameters of 11–13(±1) nm and micron-size lengths. Spectroscopic characterization studies demonstrate the J-type π–π interactions among the BTBT molecules within the hydrophobic core of the self-assembled nanofibers yielding an electrical conductivity as high as 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹. The BTBT π-core is demonstrated, for the first time, in the formation of self-assembled peptide 1D nanostructures in aqueous media for potential use in tissue engineering, bioelectronics and (opto)electronics. The conductivity achieved here is one of the highest reported to date in a non-doped state.

中文翻译：

---

由苯并噻吩并苯并噻吩（BTBT）缀合的肽形成的超分子半导体纳米线的设计和制备†

基于[1]苯并噻吩并[3,2- b ]苯并噻吩（BTBT）单元的π共轭小分子由于其优异的电荷传输特性而在可溶液加工的半导体材料的开发中具有极大的研究兴趣。但是，BTBTπ核尚未以电活性一维（1D）纳米线的形式进行证明，该纳米线在水性介质中自组装，可用于生物电子学和组织工程中。在这里，我们报告苯并噻吩并苯并噻吩（BTBT）-肽共轭物，BTBT-肽（BTBT-C ₃ -COHN-Ahx-VVAGKK-Am）和C ₈ -BTBT-肽（C ₈ -BTBT-C ₃-COHN-Ahx-VVAGKK-Am），形成β片的两亲性分子，在直径为11–13（±1）nm，长度为微米的水中自组装成高度均匀的纳米纤维。光谱表征研究表明，自组装纳米纤维疏水核内的BTBT分子之间的J型π-π相互作用产生了高达6.0×10 ^-6 S cm ^-1的电导率。BTBTπ-核首次在水性介质中形成自组装肽1D纳米结构中得到证明，可用于组织工程，生物电子学和（光电）电子学。在非掺杂状态下，此处获得的电导率是迄今为止报道的最高电导率之一。