Abstract
Bilayer membranes are formed from single-chain, double-chain, and triple-chain compounds with different kinds of hydrophilic head groups. Rigid aromatic segments are usually requirea for the single-chain amphiphiles. A modular concept is useful for a systematic understanding of the structures of these compounds.
Dynamic and static morphologies of the bilayer aggregates are determined by the membrane physical state and the component structure. For example, chiral bilayers can produce helical superstructures, and morphologies of bilayers of some single-chain amphiphiles are interpretable in terms of the geometry of the rigid segment. As for the molecular organization, the relation of the chemical structure and the component orientation is elucidated in the case of azobenzene bilayers. The photophysical and photochemical properties change accordingly. Controlled orientations of metal chelates in bilayer are ascertained by esr spectroscopy. The component distribution can be modified by appropriate combinations of the bilayer constituent.
Regular, multi-bilayer films are prepared by casting of aqueous bilayer dispersions. Stable monolayers are readily formed at the air-water interface from bilayer-forming compounds and they can be transfered onto solid substrates as the Langmuir-Blodgett film. These films may be used as permselective membranes.
