Mechanisms of Adsorption of Short Peptides on Metal and Oxide Surfaces

Biointerfaces, involving peptides or proteins and solid surfaces, have been investigated with the aim of controlling the behavior/reactivity of inorganic materials in biological environments. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the basic aspects governing the interaction of short peptides (≤ 3 amino acids) with metal and oxide surfaces. Factors influencing peptide adsorption are defined and exemplified by describing literature results obtained either from model conditions (adsorption of peptides under vacuum) or in the liquid phase. The chemical form of an adsorbed peptide, and thus the possible groups interacting with a solid surface, appears to be strongly dependent on the chemical nature and structure of the surface as well as on the adsorption conditions, e.g. the pH value of peptide solutions. Intermolecular forces also play an important role, sometimes prevailing over surface-peptide interactions, and leading to remarkable, possibly chiral, self-assembling. Some examples also show the role of water molecules upon adsorption and self-assembling. Such a review is expected to help both to understand and anticipate the behavior of peptides on metal and oxide surfaces.