2024/03/29 by Judith U. De Mel, De Mel, Judith U., Sudipta Gupta +3
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior #Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies #Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2403.19922
Despite intense research, methods for controlling soft matter's spontaneous self-assembly in-to well-defined layers remain a significant challenge. We observed ion-induced structural disconti-nuities of phospholipid vesicles that can be exploited for controlled self-assembly of soft materials. We used dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential measurement, cryo-electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray, and small-angle neutron scattering. All the experimental observations indicate that de-clining solvent quality and increasing osmotic pressure direct lipids to expel preferentially to the inner compartment. Upon reaching a critical concentration, excess lipids can form a new bilayer. This spontaneous self-assembly process causes simultaneous shrinkage of the aqueous core and expansion of the vesicle. This approach opens an intriguing path for controlling the self-assembly of bioinspired colloids, which can also serve as a vehicle to control the polymerization of multilayer polymeric systems.