Abstract
Self-assembled membranes of amphiphilic diblock copolymers enable comparisons of cohesiveness with lipid membranes over the range of hydrophobic thicknesses . At zero mechanical tension the breakdown potential for polymersomes with is , compared to for liposomes with . Nonetheless, electromechanical stresses at breakdown universally exhibit a dependence, and membrane capacitance shows the expected strong dependence, conforming to simple thermodynamic models. The viscous nature of the diblock membranes is apparent in the protracted postporation dynamics.
- Received 24 May 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.208301
©2001 American Physical Society