What do we know about micelles and which questions are still open?

Abstract

An analysis of the time constants and amplitudes of the relaxation processes in aqueous micellar solutions is presented. Ionic micelles are considered as charged colloidal particles. At low counterion concentration the electrostatic repulsion prevents coagulation of the submicellar aggregates so that micelles grow by incorporation of monomers only. At high counterion concentration, however, this reaction path is bypassed by a reversible coagulation of submicellar aggregates. With nonionic systems, both reaction paths compete right from the cmc on.The results are compared with the predictions of the DLVO theory and discussed with respect to the structure and the equilibrium properties of micelles. © 1981, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.