Structure of bilayer membranes of gemini surfactants with rigid and flexible spacers from MD simulations

Abstract

Molecular Dynamics simulations were performed for 9×9 bilayers formed by gemini surfactants p-[C19H39N+(CH3)2CH 2]2C6H4· 2Cl- or [C19H39N+(CH3)2CH 2]2CH(OH)·2Cl- with rigid hydrophobic or flexible hydrophilic types of spacer respectively. The structure of the bilayers is rather different depending on the type of spacer regarding the effect of NaCl salt addition. It is shown that the structure of the bilayer strongly depends on the interaction between the surfactant head groups and the counter ions. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.