Piezoelectric Self-assembling Peptides for Engineering Applications

Piezoelectricity is undergoing a paradigm shift from traditional nonrecyclable, inorganic materials to eco-friendly, biodegradable analogues with desirable biocompatibility and multifunctionality. In this regard, the piezoelectric self-assembling peptides may be promising electromechanical coupling elements for diverse advanced bioelectronic devices, offering the modulated electromechanical properties required for next-generation implantable and wearable bioelectronic devices along with biocompatibility and biodegradability. Correspondingly, the piezoelectric response of peptide-based supramolecular architectures is being intensively studied. In this chapter, we provide a summary of the explored-to-date piezoelectric self-assembling peptides including monopeptides (amino acids), short peptides, and polypeptides/proteins, discussing the piezoelectric mechanisms and relevant applications in diverse arenas. We expect that this review can behave as a guideline for beginners in peptide piezoelectricity as well as researchers from tangential fields to incorporate functional peptide architectonics for sustainable devices developments.