Biomimetic Approach to Structure Control of 3D Organic/Inorganic Hybrids

The goal of this research is to construct crystalline organic–inorganic hybrid architectures by coordinating peptide-based foldamers with metal ions. These systems, referred to as metal–peptide networks (MPNs) and metal–peptide cages, are designed to integrate the structural precision of foldamers with the directional bonding and stability offered by metal coordination. Metal ions serve as nodes that bridge folded peptides, leading to the formation of one-, two-, or three-dimensional frameworks with well-defined spatial organization.

These assemblies provide more than structural order—they enable enantioselective molecular separation through chiral channels, selective guest encapsulation, and catalytic transformations facilitated by the embedded metal centers. Compared to conventional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MPNs offer enhanced biocompatibility and molecular-level tunability derived from the sequence and folding of peptide ligands. The cage-type structures, in particular, emulate enzyme-like pockets and hold great potential as artificial catalytic chambers or molecular confinement platforms for precise chemical control.