Phospholipid bilayer formation at a bare Si surface: a time-resolved neutron reflectivity study

Neutron reflectivity was applied to monitor in situ the adsorption of small unilamellar phospholipid vesicles on a solid bare hydrophilic Si interface. The obtained reflectivity curves are consistent with the rupture and fusion model for the adsorption of phosphatidylcholine vesicles to solid interfaces. The results show details of the adsorbed bilayer system at ångström resolution and indicate the presence of a thin thick water leaflet that separates the bilayer from the Si surface. The resolved structural details provide the basis for further investigation of processes such as adsorption and penetration of peptides and proteins towards the supported bilayer at high resolution.