Mixtures of lecithin with polymerizable derivatives of cholesterol. A monolayer film balance study.

One of the best investigated binary lipid mixtures is the lecithin-cholesterol system. We show here that it is possible to modify the cholesterol in such a way that it can be polymerized without changing its behaviour in mixtures with lecithin. The polymerizable derivatives exhibit a very similar phase diagram in the mixture with dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine as the cholesterol itself. This is demonstrated by filmbalance measurements.

Polymerization in black lipid membranes. Influence on ion transport

A variety of different lipids containing dienoyl groups in the side chains were tested for membrane formation using the planar lipid bilayer approach. One of these lipids formed stable bilayers which could be polymerized using UV-illumination. The influence of the polymerization was studied in monolayers, lipid vesicles and planar bilayers. The stability of the lipid bilayer membranes was increased by polymerization. Thus, the lifetime of the membranes increased from about 1 h to 4–5 h or longer. Furthermore, the specific conductance of unmodified membranes and of carrier-mediated transport is reduced. The transport of lipophilic ions was investigated as a function of polymerization using t…

ChemInform Abstract: Preformed Polymers for Langmuir-Blodgett Films - Molecular Concepts

The use of preformed polymers for the preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) multilayers is reviewed. Principles for polymer self-organization are outlined and the appropriate molecular designs are discussed. Recent developments in the different classes of polymers for LB multilayers are presented, and their outstanding properties highlighted.

Second-harmonic generation in Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers of stilbazium salt and phenylhydrazone dyes

The second-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities χ(2) of several phenylhydrazone and stilbazium salt dyes in Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers have been determined from second-harmonic-generation measurements. Three of the substances demonstrated χ(2) values greater than 10−6 electrostatic units, although two of the three did not absorb light significantly at the second-harmonic wavelength.

ChemInform Abstract: Amphiphilic Dyes for Nonlinear Optics: Dependence of Second Harmonic Generation on Functional Group Substitution.

Improved stability of black lipid membranes by coating with polysaccharide derivatives bearing hydrophobic anchor groups

Abstract Black lipid membranes were coated with modified polysaccharides bearing hydrophobic palmitoyl and cholesteryl moieties. The changes in membrane structure were investigated using dipicrylamine, a lipophilic ion, as membrane probe. The kinetics of ion transport through the black lipid membranes were studied using the charge pulse relaxation technique. With this technique it was found that it is possible to detect the insertion of the hydrophobic anchor groups of the polysaccharides into the membrane bilayer. As a result of the surface coating, these membranes exhibit a drastically increased long-term stability.

Cast multibilayer films from polymerizable lipids

Preformed polymers for Langmuir-Blodgett films- molecular concepts

The use of preformed polymers for the preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) multilayers is reviewed. Principles for polymer self-organization are outlined and the appropriate molecular designs are discussed. Recent developments in the different classes of polymers for LB multilayers are presented, and their outstanding properties highlighted.

Amphiphilic dyes for nonlinear optics: Dependence of second harmonic generation on functional group substitution