Negative surface potential produced by self-assembled monolayers of helix peptides oriented vertically to a surface

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of helix peptides oriented vertically to a gold surface were prepared and the surface potential measured using the Kelvin technique up to 140°C. Negative surface potentials of a few hundred millivolts were observed for the helix peptide SAMs, indicating the occurrence of the large dipole moment of the helices directing toward the surface. The longer the helix peptide, the larger was the negative surface potential obtained. The absolute value of the surface potential decreased with increase in temperature due to thermal perturbation in the helical structure. However, Fourier transform infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy revealed that perturbation is not significant and the α-helical conformation is stable even at 140°C.