Potassium ion transport by valinomycin across a Hg-supported lipid bilayer

A biomimetic membrane consisting of a lipid bilayer tethered to a mercury electrode via a hydrophilic spacer was investigated in aqueous KCl by potential-step chronocoulometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, both in the absence and in the presence of the ionophore valinomycin. Impedance spectra, recorded from 1 x 10(-2) to 1 x 10(5) Hz over a potential range of 0.8 V, are satisfactorily fitted to a series of four RC meshes, which are straightforwardly related to the different substructural elements of the biomimetic membrane. The frequency-independent resistances and conductances of both the lipid bilayer and the hydrophilic spacer show a maximum when plotted against the applied potential. This behavior is interpreted on the basis of a general approximate approach that applies the concepts of impedance spectroscopy to a model of the electrified interphase and to the kinetics of potassium ion transport assisted by valinomycin across the lipid bilayer.