title: Buckled membranes in mixed-valence ionic amphiphile vesicles.
abstract: Amphiphilic molecules can form closed-shell structures that are determined by competing attractive and repulsive forces. Since supramolecular shape has its roots in intermolecular interactions, the interplay of electrostatic, hydrophobic, and steric forces can generate nonspherical structures. Here we show that anionic and cationic amphiphiles of unequal charge can coassemble into small buckled vesicles and present a physical argument that explains this phenomenon. The strong electrostatic interaction between the +3 and -1 head groups increases the cohesion energy of the amphiphiles and favors the formation of two-dimensional, flat ionic domains on the vesicle surface, resulting in edges and a buckled shape.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
authors.forename: Megan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.forename: Liam C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Graziano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vernizzi
authors.forename: Monica Olvera
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: de la Cruz
authors.forename: Samuel I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Stupp
mesh_terms: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008823:Micelles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers