Abstract
In this paper we present a systematic study of the morphology and composition of supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) formed by vesicle fusion using a wide variety of surface sensitive techniques that give information about the lateral as well as vertical structure and bilayer fluidity. SLBs of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) mixtures at five different bulk vesicle compositions were formed in such a way that the phase separation boundaries were crossed. For all compositions studied, the SLBs were systematically enriched with POPC compared to the nominal vesicle composition. Nevertheless, gel-fluid domain coexistence was observed for SLB compositions in which phase separation was expected based on the bulk phase diagram. The probable causes for the compositional difference in the SLBs are discussed in terms of the phase behaviour of the mixture and its effect on the membrane formation process by vesicle fusion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Soft Matter |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 20 |
| Pages (from-to) | 5658-5665 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISSN | 1744-683X |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 28 May 2012 |