Can graphene bilayers be the membrane mimetic materials?

TL;DR

This paper reviews the potential of graphene bilayers as membrane mimetic materials, comparing their properties to biological membranes and other nanostructures, highlighting their similarities and possible applications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of graphene bilayers in the context of membrane mimetic chemistry, emphasizing their similarities to biological membranes and other nanostructures.

Findings

Graphene bilayers exhibit membrane mimetic properties.

Comparison of graphene with biological membranes and nanostructures.

Potential applications in bionic membrane-like nanomaterials.

Abstract

Since the pioneering works of the founder of membrane mimetic chemistry Janos H. Fendler it is known that a number of atomic or molecular clusters and films (including nanoscale ones) are capable of mimicking the membrane functions. Membrane mimetic materials can be either soft matter or solid state materials. Conducting films (including those with magnetic properties) and semiconductors are also known to possess membrane mimetic properties. If we consider the agent exchange through the membrane in the operator form, the chemical composition of the membranes and their models, as well as the difference between the atomic and molecular clusters or layers become not so essential, and hence, membrane mimetic chemistry of nano- and mesostructures do not differ significantly within the agent-based approach. This invited review containing several parts reflects the main aspects of the author's report at the conference "Graphene: a molecule and 2D-crystal" (September 8-12, 2015, Novosibirsk, Russia) and considers various aspects of the similarity between the graphene nanostructures, membranes and bionic membrane-like nanomaterials.