Synthesis of stable hybrid silica-lipid cylinders with nanoscale helical ripples

Self-assembled cylindrical lipid tubules have attracted attention as templates for synthesizing hybrid organic-inorganic materials. Here we report the synthesis of hybrid silica-lipid cylinders by sol-gel condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) on helical rippled tubules of 1,2-bis(tricosa-10,12-diynoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DC8,9PC). Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the nanoscale helical ripples of the lipid tubules are transcripted to the templated silica films. On the other hand, the deposition of the silica films substantially improves the thermal stability of lipid tubules. We find that the crystalline ordering of lipid bilayer walls confined in the hybrid silica-lipid cylinders is stable up to 110 degrees C.