Unusual phosphatidylcholine lipid phase behavior in the ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate

Hypothesis: The forces that govern lipid self-assembly ionic liquids are similar to water, but their different balance can result in unexpected behaviour. Experiments: The self-assembly behaviour and phase equilibria of two phospholipids, 1,2-distearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), in the most common protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) have been investigated as function of composition and temperature by small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and smallangle neutron scattering (SANS). Findings: Both lipids form unusual self-assembly structures and show complex and unexpected phase behaviour unlike that seen in water; DSPC undergoes a gel Lb to crystalline Lc phase transition on warming, while POPC forms worm-like micelles L1 upon dilution. This surprising phase behaviour is attributed

Automated summary

The forces governing lipid self-assembly in ionic liquids are similar to water, but differences in their balance can lead to unexpected behavior. Experimental findings show that phospholipids in the protic ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate exhibit unusual self-assembly structures and complex phase behavior different from that in water.