Polymerizable Self-Organized Membranes: A Novel Class of Organic Compounds

Abstract

ABSTRACTMolecular Self-assembly of amphiphilic phospholipid molecules (containing a hydrophobic acyl chain and a hydrophilic phosphate group attached to glycerol backbone) and other amphiphiles offers a versatile approach to form ordered structures. Stabilization of lipid microstructures by polymerization renders them useful for practical applications in the areas ranging from controlled release technology to template mediated synthesis of metals. Our efforts are focussed on the development and use of polymerizable diacetylenic phospholipids and their microstructures as template for chemical synthesis. The surface of vesicles and lipid microcylinders (0.5 μm dia.) is made reactive by chemically modifying the hydrophilic region of phospholipids. Lipids with chemically reactive sites were incorporated into lipid membranes predominantly formed from charge neutral lipids and used for binding metal ions and growing fine metal particles.