Abstract: A method for biomimetically preparing titanium oxide precipitates with specific morphologies. According to one embodiment, designed peptides that are 5-20 amino acids long are used as initiators to cause the precipitation of titanium oxide from a buffered aqueous solution containing a titanium oxide precursor, such as titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactate) dihydroxide. The peptides consist of amino acids that are hydrophilic at neutral pH, such as serine, and amino acids that are cationic at neutral pH, such as lysine and arginine. The peptides sequences are designed to induce the formation of specific morphologies including, but not limited to, spheres, rectangular blocks, cubes, porous sheets, non-porous sheets, and flowers. The method enables the formation of distinct and consistent titanium oxide morphologies without a need for high temperatures and pressures or for caustic reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method for biomimetically preparing titanium oxide precipitates with specific morphologies. According to one embodiment, designed peptides that are 5-20 amino acids long are used as initiators to cause the precipitation of titanium oxide from a buffered aqueous solution containing a titanium oxide precursor, such as titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactate) dihydroxide. The peptides consist of amino acids that are hydrophilic at neutral pH, such as serine, and amino acids that are cationic at neutral pH, such as lysine and arginine. The peptides sequences are designed to induce the formation of specific morphologies including, but not limited to, spheres, rectangular blocks, cubes, porous sheets, non-porous sheets, and flowers. The method enables the formation of distinct and consistent titanium oxide morphologies without a need for high temperatures and pressures or for caustic reaction conditions.