Use of phospholipid-clay complexes for determining vibrational spectra of membrane related systems

For determining the infrared and Raman spectra of membrane related systems, a method is developed to incorporate phospholipid bilayer assemblies in a clay matrix to form ultra-thin, self-supporting films. These films, containing stabilized bilayers arranged between the silicate layers of hectorite, are in the shape of discs which measure about 2 cm in diameter and 25 microns thick and require approximately 2 mg of phospholipid for preparation. Although several spectral regions below 1100 cm-1 are masked by the host clay, both head group and acyl chain vibrations may be conveniently observed and monitored for phospholipid conformational changes.