Effects of direct current bias voltages on supported bilayer lipid membranes on a glassy carbon electrode

The effects of dc bias voltages on supported bilayer lipid membranes (s-BLMs) on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experiments suggested that an appropriate positive bias voltage facilitated the formation of electrically dense membranes, but if the voltage is enough high, the lacunas on s-BLMs increased, and eventually caused the complete oxidation of the lipid membrane. While negative bias voltages could induce the damage of supported membranes to different extent. The changes of the form and quantity of graphite oxide on the surface of the electrode caused by dc bias voltages and the electroporation and damage of the membrane at high potentials may be responsible for the effects.