Interaction of Monovalent Ions with a Phospholipid Bilayer

The influence of monovalent electrolyte ions (saline solution) on the dipole zwitterionic fragments of phospholipids in the bilayer was studied using x-ray diffraction simultaneously at large and small angles and an optical polarizing microscope. It has been established for solutions of alkali metal chlorides that the intensity of interaction with the lipid bilayer in the series Na+, K+, Cs+, and Li+ increases successively. Theoretical and experimental approaches have confirmed the existence of water molecule orientation, which leads to structural changes in the bilayer. The data obtained can be used to create low-inertia displays and sensitive sensors.