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Stimuli-Responsive Membrane Composed of Block Copolypeptides

National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research Higashi, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305, Japan

Sei-Ichi Aiba

National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research Higashi, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305, Japan

Yukihiko Fujiwara

National Institute of Materials and Chemical Research Higashi, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305, Japan

A membrane was produced from an ABA-type block copolypeptide composed of poly(L-glutamic acid) as outer segments (A) and poly(L-leucine) as the inner (B). The membrane had phase-separated morphology with the poly(L-glutamic acid) embedded in a continuous matrix of the poly(L-leucine). When the membrane was placed between aqueous KCl solutions of differ ent concentrations, KCl permeated through the continuous do mains of the poly(L-glutamic acid) from one surface to the other (membrane channel). KCl diffused more easily in the -helical state of the poly(L-glutamic acid) chain than in the random-coil state. The membrane spontaneously generated electrical pulses under the concentration gradient of KCl in the absence of any addi tional external current, voltage, or pressure.

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, Vol. 5, No. 3, 424-427 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/1045389X9400500316


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