Liposome/Graphene Oxide Interaction Studied by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry

The interaction between graphene oxide (GO) and lipid bilayers is important for fundamental surface science and many applications. In this work, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), cryo-TEM, and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the adsorption of three types of liposomes. Heat release was observed when GO was mixed with zwitterionic DOPC liposomes, while heat absorption occurred with cationic DOTAP liposomes. For comparison, anionic DOPG liposomes released heat when mixed with DOTAP. DOPC was adsorbed as intact liposomes, but DOTAP ruptured and induced stacking and folding of GO sheets. This study suggests the release of more water molecules from the GO surface when mixed with DOTAP liposomes. This can be rationalized by the full rupture of the DOTAP liposomes interacting with the whole GO surface, including hydrophobic regions, while DOPC liposomes only interact with a small area on GO near the edge, which is likely to be more hydrophilic. This interesting biointerfacial observation has enhanced our fundamental understanding of lipid/GO interactions.