New model of charged molecule redistribution induced in spherical vesicles by direct current electric field.

ABSTRACT

A new electrophoresis model of charged components in a spherical phospholipid vesicle is proposed. In the new model the effective local tangential electric field is a result of the uniform external electric field modified by the electric field of redistributed charges. The modification is calculated on the basis of the Gouy-Chapman surface potential theory. Numerical calculations of steady-state distribution of charged molecules and the transmembrane potential are performed. The results show significant difference from the old, simplified model that neglects modification of the external electric field caused by redistributed charges.