Abstract
We report the observation of two-dimensional fluid-fluid immiscibility in monolayer mixtures of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and cholesterol spread at an air-water interface. Coexisting fluid domains were visualized by fluorescence microscopy in monolayers that were stained with low concentrations of a fluorescent lipid probe. Monolayers with cholesterol concentrations in the range 0-30 mol % show reversible two-phase to one-phase transformations at characteristic densities and surface pressures. For cholesterol concentrations near 30 mol %, this isothermal transition is characterized by fluctuations in the shape of the domain boundaries, indicating the presence of a critical point at this composition.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1715-1718 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry |
Volume | 91 |
Issue number | 7 |
State | Published - 1987 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry