Ordering transitions in micrometer-thick films of nematic liquid crystals driven by self-assembly of ganglioside GM1.

ABSTRACT: We report an investigation of the self-assembly of the monosialoganglioside (GM(1)) at interfaces formed between aqueous solutions of 10 microM GM(1) (at 25 degrees C) and micrometer-thick films of the nematic liquid crystal (LC) 4'-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). We observe the process of spontaneous transfer of GM(1) onto the interfaces to be accompanied by continuous ordering transitions within the micrometer-thick films of the LC. At saturation coverage, the GM(1) orders the LC in an orientation that is perpendicular to the interface, an orientation that is similar to that caused by phospholipids such as dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC). This result suggests an interaction between the LC and GM(1) that is dominated by the hydrophobic tails of the GM(1). Relative to DLPC, however, we o

SUBMITTER: Lin IH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2778293 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature