Voltage dependence of bilayer membrane capacitance

The change in capacitance of cholesterol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bilayer membranes upon application of relatively high dc and ac potentials was measured as a function of frequency. Capacitance increases proportional to the square of voltage were observed (0.5–1% for 100 mV dc). The amplitude of the ac component of the capacitance variation decreased with frequency until a break frequency was reached, above which the capacitance response was constant at a value about two orders of magnitude lower than the dc response. By comparison with the elastic response of the membrane and border, it was concluded the capacitance response at higher frequency was due to bilayer thickness decrease with voltage (electrostriction) while the lower frequency response was associated with a bilayer area increase. Agreement was obtained between the measured electrostriction and that calculated from membrane elasticity. Area increases with voltage calculated assuming border shrinkage as a result of an increase in contact angle were in order of magnitude agreement with the observed dc response. The effects of lenses and bowed membranes are discussed.