Electromechanical limits of polymersomes.
Self-assembled membranes of amphiphilic diblock copolymers enable comparisons of cohesiveness with lipid membranes over the range of hydrophobic thicknesses d = 3-15 nm. At zero mechanical tension the breakdown potential V(c) for polymersomes with d = 15 nm is 9 V, compared to 1 V for liposomes with d = 3 nm. Nonetheless, electromechanical stresses at breakdown universally exhibit a V(c)(2) dependence, and membrane capacitance shows the expected strong d dependence, conforming to simple thermodynamic models. The viscous nature of the diblock membranes is apparent in the protracted postporation dynamics.
Aranda-Espinoza
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Institute for Medicine and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Bermudez
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H
Bates
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FS
Discher
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DE
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008081:Liposomes; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008954:Models, Biological; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008081:Liposomes; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers