Ion transport through thin lipid films

Currents through thin lipid films were measured versus temperature, applied voltage, pH value, ionic strength and ionic species. All experimental data tend to fit a two-component current theory, that is, the film current composed of a surface barrier jumping current and a surface recombination current. A good agreement was obtained in surface barrier height between theory and experiment. Breakdown phenomenon was observed and is interpreted as possibly arising from avalanche multiplication of ions, most probably from surface traps.