Probing the Ion Transport Properties of Ultrashort Carbon Nanotubes Integrated with Supported Lipid Bilayers via Electrochemical Analysis

J Phys Chem B. 2023 Jul 20;127(28):6316-6324. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c02917. Epub 2023 Jul 11.

Abstract

Supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are commonly used to investigate interactions between cell membranes and their environment. These model platforms can be formed on electrode surfaces and analyzed using electrochemical methods for bioapplications. Carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) integrated with SLBs have emerged as promising artificial ion channel platforms. In this study, we present the integration and ion transport characterization of CNTPs in in vivo environments. We combine experimental and simulation data obtained from electrochemical analysis to analyze the membrane resistance of the equivalent circuits. Our results show that carrying CNTPs on a gold electrode results in high conductance for monovalent cations (K+ and Na+) and low conductance for divalent cations (Ca2+).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Ion Channels
  • Ion Transport
  • Lipid Bilayers* / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon* / chemistry
  • Porins / chemistry

Substances

  • Lipid Bilayers
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Ion Channels
  • Porins