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Abstract
Photoresponsive materials feature properties that can be adjusted by light near-instantaneously, reversibly, and with high spatiotemporal precision. There is considerable interest in maximising the degree of photoswitching, and in measuring this degree during illumination in complex environments. We study the switching of photoresponsive lipid membranes that allow for precise and reversible manipulation of membrane shape, permeability, and fluidity. Though these macroscopic responses are clear, it is unclear how large the changes of trans/cis ratio are, and whether they can be improved. Here, we used small-angle X-ray scattering to measure the thickness of photoswitchable lipid membranes, and we correlate lipid bilayer thickness to trans/cis ratios. This reveals an unexpected dependency of photoswitching ratio upon aqueous phase composition. In buffer with ionic strength, we observe thickness variations twice as large as previously observed. Furthermore, soft X-rays can quantitatively isomerise photolipid membranes to the all-trans state; enabling X-ray-based membrane control. High energy X-rays do not influence the state of the photoswitches, presumably because they deposit less dose in the sample.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2361-2368 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Nanophotonics |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2022 |
Keywords
- azobenzene
- high-energy X-ray
- isomerization
- lipid bilayer
- photoswitch
- SAXS
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biotechnology
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Fields of Expertise
- Advanced Materials Science
- Human- & Biotechnology
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Dive into the research topics of 'SAXS measurements of azobenzene lipid vesicles reveal buffer-dependent photoswitching and quantitative Z→E isomerisation by X-rays'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
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Structural Characterization by Light and X-Ray Scattering Methods
Marmiroli, B., Sartori, B. & Amenitsch, H.
31/07/15 → 31/12/30
Project: Research area