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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.11.12.687965

Biofuel-driven Adaptable n-type Supramolecular Wires: Mimicking Conducting Microbial Nano-filaments

Kumar, S.·Kapila, R.·Panda, A.·Singh, P.·Kaliginedi, V.·Rana, S.
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Abstract

We report the biofuel-driven self-assembly of a benzimidazole-pyridine platinum (II) complex into supramolecular nanowires. Phosphate promotes Pt{middle dot}{middle dot}{middle dot}Pt metallophilic stacking, whereas the pristine complex forms nanosheets dominated by {pi}-{pi} interactions. By varying phosphate denticity (adenosine/guanosine mono-, di-, and triphosphates), we tune the extent of Pt{middle dot}{middle dot}{middle dot}Pt interactions and the resulting electrical conductance of the nanowires, measured on graphene using a custom EGaIn setup. Triphosphate-templated nanowires exhibit nearly four orders of magnitude higher conductance than non-templated nanosheets. Thermopower measurements reveal a negative Seebeck coefficient, indicating LUMO-mediated electron transport and rare n-type behavior in these supramolecular assemblies. Temperature-dependent measurements show a transition from tunneling (non-templated nanosheets) to thermally activated hopping (triphosphate templated nanowires). The system is recyclable, apyrase hydrolysis disrupts the nanowires, and re-addition of phosphate restores assembly, enabling reversible conductance switching over multiple cycles. This study demonstrates a fuel-responsive, adaptive supramolecular electronic material, highlighting how controlled Pt{middle dot}{middle dot}{middle dot}Pt interactions can be exploited to program charge transport in soft, bioinspired electronic systems.

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Kumar, S., Kapila, R., Panda, A., Singh, P., Kaliginedi, V., Rana, S.. 2025-11-12. Biofuel-driven Adaptable n-type Supramolecular Wires: Mimicking Conducting Microbial Nano-filaments. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.11.12.687965

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