Kinetic pathway of spontaneous vesicle formation

J Leng, S U Egelhaaf, M E Cates

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The spontaneous formation of lipid vesicles (liposomes) in aqueous lecithin/bile salt mixtures is studied using time-resolved static and dynamic light scattering. These measurements reveal a strong dependence of the kinetic rates and end-state liposome properties on total amphiphile concentration and, even more pronounced, on ionic strength. The observed trends contradict equilibrium calculations, but are in quantitative agreement with a kinetic model that we present. This model identifies the key kinetic steps during vesicle formation: rapid formation of disc-like intermediate micelles, growth of these micelles and closure to form vesicles. This work offers conclusive evidence for kinetic rather than thermodynamic control of the end-state properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)311-317
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Physical Society Letters (EPL)
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2002

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