Biofuel-driven Adaptable n-type Supramolecular Wires: Mimicking Conducting Microbial Nano Filaments

ABSTRACT We report the biofuel-driven self-assembly of a benzimidazole–pyridine platinum (II) complex into supramolecular nanowires. Phosphate promotes Pt···Pt metallophilic stacking, whereas the pristine complex forms nanosheets dominated by π–π interactions. By varying phosphate denticity (adenosine/guanosine mono-, di-, and triphosphates), we tune the extent of Pt···Pt interactions and the resulting electrical conductance of the nanowires, measured on graphene using a custom EGaIn setup. Triphosphate-templated nanowires exhibit nearly four orders of magnitude higher conductance than non-templated nanosheets. Thermopower measurements reveal a negative Seebeck coefficient, indicating LUMO-mediated electron transport and rare n-type behavior in these supramolecular assemblies. Temperature-dependent measurements show a transition from tunneling (non-templated nanosheets) to thermally activated hopping (triphosphate templated nanowires). The system is recyclable, apyrase hydrolysis disrupts the nanowires, and re-addition of phosphate restores assembly, enabling reversible conductance switching over multiple cycles. This study demonstrates a fuel-responsive, adaptive supramolecular electronic material, highlighting how controlled Pt···Pt interactions can be exploited to program charge transport in soft, bioinspired electronic systems. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.