Principles of Peptide Self‐assembly and Material Design Rules

Peptide self-assembly is a potent strategy for developing numerous multifunctional materials and an ideal research model to understand the phenomenon involved in living systems. However, precise control over peptide self-assembly remains challenging. In this chapter, we present the recent progress in the nucleation and growth mechanism of peptide self-assembly. In particular, the multistep nucleation through liquid–liquid phase separation and growth through hierarchically oriented organization are highlighted. Then, the principles of peptide self-assembly, with emphasis on the contribution of intermolecular interactions and thermodynamics and kinetics, are discussed. Finally, we propose the design rules of supramolecular materials based on peptide self-assembly, providing insights into the exploration of novel peptide-based biomaterials.