Peptide friction in water nanofilm on mica surface

Peptide frictions in water nanofilms of various thicknesses on a mica surface are studied via molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the forced lateral motion of the peptide exhibits stick-slip behaviour at low water coverage; in contrast, the smooth gliding motion is observed at higher water coverage. The adsorbed peptide can form direct peptide-surface hydrogen bonds as well as indirect peptide-water-surface hydrogen bonds with the substrate. We propose that the stick-slip phenomenon is attributed to the overall effects of direct and indirect hydrogen bonds formed between the surface and the peptide.