Studies on solubilization of phospholipid liposomes by water-miscible ionic liquids

The effects of novel green solvents, ionic liquids (ILs), on the structures of phospholipid liposomes as model bio-membranes were studied. The ILs-liposomes suspensions were characterized by turbidity, DSC and ³¹P NMR, and the results obtained demonstrate that the interaction between water-miscible 1-n-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ILs and liposomes eventually led to the rupture of the liposome structures and the solubilization of the phospholipid components. In the process, [C_n mim] cations played a crucial role in the solubilization of phospholipid liposomes, and the anion types and alkyl chain lengths also had influence on solubilizing properties of these ILs. A possible mechanism involved in the ILs-induced solubilization of phospholipid liposomes was proposed.