Compositions and methods related to 2 dimensional molecular composites

Abstract

Provided are compositions that include at least one two-dimensional layer of an inorganic compound and at least one layer of an organic compound in the form of one or more polypeptides. Methods of making and using the materials are provided. The organic layer contains one or more polypeptides, each of which have alternating repeats of crystallite-forming subsequences and amorphous subsequences. The crystallite-forming subsequences form crystallites comprising stacks of one or more β-sheets. The amorphous subsequences form a network of hydrogen bonds. A method includes i) combining one or more polypeptides with an inorganic material and an organic solvent, and ii) depositing one or more polypeptides, the inorganic material and the organic solvent onto a substrate. These steps can be repeated to provide a composite material that is a multilayer composite material. The composite materials can be used in a wide array of textile, electronic, semi-conducting, and other applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite material comprising at least one two-dimensional (2D) inorganic layer and an at least one organic layer, the organic layer comprising one or more polypeptides which comprise alternating repeats of crystallite-forming subsequences and amorphous subsequences, wherein the crystallite-forming subsequences form crystallites comprising stacks of one or more β-sheets, and wherein the amorphous subsequences form a network of hydrogen bonds. 
     
     
         2 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one 2D inorganic layer comprises Graphene, Graphyne, Borophene, Germanene, Silicene, Stanene, Phosphorene, Molybdenite, Graphane Oxide (GO), Hexagonal boron nitride, a Germanane compound, a Methyl Oxide, a Methyl Carbide, a Methyl nitride, a transition metal oxide, a transition metal di-chalcogenide, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one 2D organic layer has a thickness of from 0.5 nm-10.0 nm. 
     
     
         4 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one 2D inorganic layer has a thickness of from 0.5 nm-10.0 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the crystallite-forming subsequence is from about 2 nm to about 5 nm long. 
     
     
         6 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises from 4 to 20 repeats of the crystallite-forming subsequences. 
     
     
         7 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the polypeptide comprises from 4 to 20 repeats of the crystallite-forming subsequences. 
     
     
         8 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more polypeptides comprises a sequence that exhibits crystallinity between 0% and 60%. 
     
     
         9 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the amorphous subsequence comprises from 10 to 60 amino acids. 
     
     
         10 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material is in a multilayer composite material, wherein the multilayer composite material comprises between 2 and 10 9  composite layers, each of which composite layers comprises an organic layer and an inorganic layer. 
     
     
         11 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material consists essentially of the polypeptides and the inorganic material. 
     
     
         12 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material is an electronic conductor or semi-conductor. 
     
     
         13 . The composite material of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material comprises an actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The composite material of  claim 1  wherein the composite material comprises a heterostructure 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising altering the shape of the actuator of  claim 13  by applying a stimulus to the actuator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the altering the shape of the actuator is reversible, and wherein the stimulus comprises a thermal or electrical stimulus.