
Abstract
An equilibrium phase belonging to the family of bilayer liposomes in ternary mixtures of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), water, and geraniol (a biological alcohol derived from oil-soluble vitamins that acts as a cosurfactant) has been identified. Electron and optical microscopy reveal the phase, labeled Ltv, to be composed of highly entangled tubular vesicles. In situ x-ray diffraction confirms that the tubule walls are multilamellar with the lipids in the chain-melted state. Macroscopic observations show that the Ltv phase coexists with the well-known L4 phase of spherical vesicles and a bulk L alpha phase. However, the defining characteristic of the Ltv phase is the Weissenberg rod climbing effect under shear, which results from its polymer-like entangled microstructure.
Item Type: | Journal article |
---|---|
Faculties: | Physics |
Subjects: | 500 Science > 530 Physics |
URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-epub-3784-8 |
ISSN: | 0-1400-8479-7 |
Item ID: | 3784 |
Date Deposited: | 09. May 2008 11:34 |
Last Modified: | 04. Nov 2020 12:47 |