Neutron reflectivity study of substrate surface chemistry effects on supported phospholipid bilayer formation on (112¯0) sapphire

► Phospholipid bilayer coverage on sapphire varies with pH, ionic strength (I) and Ca2+. ► Nearly full coverage observed with positive surface charge on sapphire and low I. ► Trends of increasing coverage agree with previous results using Al2O3 particles. ► Lipid (DPPC) bilayers observed on sapphire for the first time by neutron reflection.