@article{Tang2026, 
author = {Ying Tang and Pei Du and Shuaikang Zhou and Tong Wu and Weiqiang Fan and Haoyu Wang and Ehud Gazit and Rusen Yang},
title = {Vapor-phase self-assembly of orientation-controlled amino acid nanorod arrays for energy harvesting},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
keywords = {nanogenerator, piezoelectricity, physical vapor deposition, aromatic amino acids, Stranski–Krastanov growth, ordered array},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2026.94908745},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2026.94908745},
abstract = {Biomolecules can form micro- and nanoscale structures with unique physicochemical properties. These structures tend to grow randomly in solution or on a substrate, and the lack of orientation control stems from a limited understanding of the self-assembly process, hindering their applications. Here, we achieve aligned, uniform nanorod arrays of aromatic amino acids via an electric-field-assisted physical vapor deposition process. The electric driving force and non-covalent intermolecular interactions work synergistically in biomolecular self-assembly. The vapor-deposition angle controls the stacking direction of tyrosine, phenylalanine, and levodopa, and a dynamic transition from vertical columnar crystals to horizontal needle-like epitaxial growth is observed. The good mechanical properties and piezoelectric response enable the fabrication of piezoelectric nanogenerators for environmental energy harvesting. The present work provides a new direction for the controlled growth of smart biomaterials and promotes their practical applications.}
}