Characterization of Robust and Free-Standing 2D-Nanomembranes of UV-Polymerized Diacetylene Lipids

Langmuir. 2018 Mar 13;34(10):3256-3263. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03403. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Abstract

Free-standing lipid membranes are promising as artificial functional membrane systems for application in separation, filtration, and nanopore sensing. To improve the mechanical properties of lipid membranes, UV-polymerized lipids have been introduced. We investigated free-standing as well as substrate-supported monolayers of 1-palmitoyl-2-(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PTPE) and 1,2-bis(10,12-tricosadiynoyl)- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DiynePC) and characterized them with respect to their structure, morphology, and stability. Using helium ion microscopy (HIM), we were able to visualize the integrity of the lipid 2D-nanomembranes spanning micrometer-sized voids under high-vacuum conditions. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigations under ambient conditions revealed formation of intact and robust pore-spanning 2D-nanomembranes up to 8 × 2 μm2 in size. Analysis by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) verified a distinct reduction of signal at 2143 cm-1 from diacetylene groups in the 2D-nanomembranes after UV-polymerization. Further high-resolution AFM investigations of unpolymerized lipid monolayers revealed a well-ordered two-dimensional network, when deposited on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). These structures were inhibited for polymerized adlayers. Structural models for the molecular arrangement of the adlayers are proposed and discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lipid Bilayers / chemistry*
  • Lipids / chemical synthesis*
  • Lipids / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Polymerization
  • Surface Properties
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Lipids