ELECTROSTATIC ADHESION BETWEEN FLUID MEMBRANES - PHASE-SEPARATION ANDBLISTERING

The electrostatically controlled adhesion of giant vesicles on support ed membranes is studied by microinterferometry allowing quantitative e valuation of contact formation and surface profile near the contact ar ea. Under suitable conditions the adhesion induced segregation of char ged lipids in one of the membranes of contact zone. This leads to patc hes of tight contact and decoupled blisters, which are demonstrated fo r the first time. The stabilization of the pressurized blisters is rat ionalized in terms of counterion accumulation in the contact area ensu ring charge neutrality.