Peng, W.; Li, L.; Bai, X.; Yi, P.; Xie, Y.; Wang, L.; Du, W.; Wang, T.; Zhong, J.-Q.; Li, Y. Observation of Ice-Like Two-Dimensional Flakes on Self-Assembled Protein Monolayer without Nanoconfinement under Ambient Conditions. Nano-Micro Lett. 2025, 17, 18-Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University

Peng, W.; Li, L.; Bai, X.; Yi, P.; Xie, Y.; Wang, L.; Du, W.; Wang, T.; Zhong, J.-Q.; Li, Y. Observation of Ice-Like Two-Dimensional Flakes on Self-Assembled Protein Monolayer without Nanoconfinement under Ambient Conditions. Nano-Micro Lett. 2025, 17, 18
Publication time：2025-07-08 Reading times： Font：【Big Medium Small】
Yuan Li’s team demonstrated the formation of ice-like two-dimensional (2D) water flakes on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) supporting cytochrome c (Cyt C) proteins under ambient conditions and without nanoconfinement. Using AFM, nano-AFM-IR, and IR/Raman spectroscopy, they directly visualized and chemically characterized the 2D flakes, showing controllable melting and growth behavior. The formation of these flakes was attributed to a twofold higher activation energy for water desorption from Cyt C compared to the SAMs. This study offers a new strategy to probe protein–water interactions and interfacial ice formation mechanisms in bio-relevant systems.
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