Repulsion between inorganic particles inserted within surfactant bilayers

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Aug 29;101(9):098101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.098101. Epub 2008 Aug 29.

Abstract

We study by synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering highly aligned lamellar phases of a zwitterionic surfactant, doped with monodisperse and spherical hydrophobic inorganic particles as a function of particle concentration. Analysis of the structure factor of the two-dimensional fluid formed by the particles in the plane of the bilayer gives access to their membrane-mediated interaction, which is repulsive, with a contact value of about 4kBT and a range of 14 angstroms. Systematic application of this technique should lead to a better understanding of the interaction between membrane inclusions.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry, Inorganic
  • Dimethylamines / chemistry*
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry*

Substances

  • Dimethylamines
  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • dodecyldimethylamine oxide