Repulsion Between Inorganic Particles Inserted Within Surfactant Bilayers

The interaction of hybrid nanoparticles inserted within surfactant bilayers.

We determine by small-angle x-ray scattering the structure factor of hydrophobic particles inserted within lamellar surfactant phases for various particle concentrations. The data are then analyzed by numerically solving the Ornstein-Zernicke equation, taking into account both the intra- and interlayer interactions. We find that particles within the same layer repel each other and that the inte...

General hydrophobic interaction potential for surfactant/lipid bilayers from direct force measurements between light-modulated bilayers.

We establish and quantify correlations among the molecular structures, interaction forces, and physical processes associated with light-responsive self-assembled surfactant monolayers or bilayers at interfaces. Using the surface forces apparatus (SFA), the interaction forces between adsorbed monolayers and bilayers of an azobenzene-functionalized surfactant can be drastically and controllably a...

Measured work of deformation and repulsion of lecithin bilayers.

We used three complementary techniques to vary the chemical potential of water in lipid/water mixtures; we measured the work of removing water from the multilayer lattice formed in water by the zwitterionic phospholipid egg lecithin. By x-ray diffraction, we observed the structural consequences of water removal. There are no discrete classes of "bound water" in this system; the work of removal ...

University of Groningen Interbilayer repulsion forces between tension-free lipid bilayers from simulation

Surfactant bilayers maintain transmembrane protein activity.

In vitro studies of membrane proteins are of interest only if their structure and function are significantly preserved. One approach is to insert them into the lipid bilayers of highly viscous cubic phases rendering the insertion and manipulation of proteins difficult. Less viscous lipid sponge phases are sometimes used, but their relatively narrow domain of existence can be easily disrupted by...