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Micelles

Micelles

Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

The Colloidal State

The Colloidal State

The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...

Colloids

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...

Colloidal precipitates

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

Surface Active Agents

Surface Active Agents

Surfactants, named for their behavior at interfaces, positively adsorb at the interfaces of two phases, reducing interfacial tension. Their versatility as emulsifiers, detergents, and foaming agents stems from this ability. Surfactants, often termed amphiphiles, share the property of amphipathy, with molecules having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions. The hydrophilic part is called the head, and the hydrophobic part, including an elongated alkyl substituent, forms the tail.Surfactants...

Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins

Detergent Purification of Membrane Proteins

Detergents are used to purify the integral proteins of the membrane. The hydrophobic portion of the detergent can replace membrane phospholipids while solubilizing the membrane proteins. When detergent monomers reach a specific concentration in a solution called critical micelle concentration (CMC), they form micelles. Above CMC, the concentration of the detergent monomers remains in equilibrium with the micelle. The number of detergent monomers present in the CMC varies for each detergent, and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Phase Diagram Characterization Using Magnetic Beads as Liquid Carriers

Phase Diagram Characterization Using Magnetic Beads as Liquid Carriers

Published on: September 4, 2015

Charged micelle depletion attraction and interfacial colloidal phase behavior.

Tara D Iracki¹, Daniel J Beltran-Villegas, Shannon L Eichmann

¹Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|November 17, 2010

Summary

Ensemble total internal reflection microscopy directly measured colloid-surface depletion attraction. Modified potentials accurately describe micelle interactions, enabling simulations of phase behavior.

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Area of Science:

Colloid and Surface Science
Soft Matter Physics
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Depletion attraction is crucial in colloidal systems.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) forms micelles near its critical micelle concentration (CMC).
Understanding micelle-surface interactions is key for controlling colloidal self-assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

To directly measure colloid-surface depletion attraction.
To investigate the influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration on depletion forces.
To develop and validate a modified depletion potential model.

Main Methods:

Ensemble total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM) for direct potential measurements.
Monte Carlo (MC) simulations guided by measured potentials.
Video microscopy (VM) to observe micelle-mediated phase behavior.

Main Results:

Measured potentials align with a modified Asakura-Oosawa (AO) depletion potential.
The model incorporates electrostatic interactions and micelle partitioning.
MC simulations accurately reproduced observed fluid, crystal, and gel microstructures.

Conclusions:

The modified AO potential effectively describes micelle-mediated depletion attraction.
Directly measured potentials enhance the accuracy of colloidal simulations.
Findings contribute to simplified models for charged micellar systems.