Multilayer of Phospholipid Membranes on a Hydrosol Substrate

TL;DR

This study investigates the molecular structure of multilayer phospholipid membranes on a silica nanoparticle hydrosol surface using synchrotron radiation, revealing crystalline bilayer formation with specific thickness and molecular area.

Contribution

It provides detailed structural characterization of phospholipid multilayers on hydrosol substrates using advanced scattering techniques, which is novel.

Findings

Multilayer consists of planar phospholipid bilayers about 69 Å thick.

Total multilayer thickness is approximately 400 Å.

Bilayers are in a crystalline state with a molecular area of 41.6 Ų.

Abstract

The molecular structure of a multilayer of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) adsorbed on the surface of the hydrosol of silica nanoparticles has been studied by the synchrotron radiation scattering method. According to the reflectometry data, the multilayer is formed by planar phospholipid bilayers with a thickness of 69 +/- 1 Angstrom and its total thickness is about 400 Angstrom. Grazing-incidence diffraction indicates that the bilayers are in the crystal state with an area of 41.6 +/- 0.7 Angstrom^2 per molecule.