Electromechanics of a membrane with spatially distributed fixed charges: Flexoelectricity and elastic parameters

Abstract

We investigate the electrostatic contribution to the lipid membrane mechanical parameters: tension, bending rigidity, spontaneous curvature, and flexocoefficient, using an approach where stress in the membrane is explicitly balanced. Our model includes an applied electrostatic potential as well as a charge distribution in the membrane. We apply our theory to membranes having surface charges and electric dipoles at the surface.