Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
Published on: April 19, 2018
Fluctuations near the critical micelle concentration. I. Premicellar aggregation, relaxation rate, and isentropic
Jayanta K Bhattacharjee1, Udo Kaatze
1Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Chhatnag Road, Jhusi, Allahabad 211019, India.
Abstract:
A thermodynamic model including fluctuations of micelle sizes has been derived to describe solution properties of amphiphile systems close to the critical micelle concentration. Owing to the consideration of an affinity field in the free energy of the system, the model is capable of featuring experimental findings that are incorrectly reflected by established theories of the micelle formation and disintegration kinetics. In conformity with experiments, the thermodynamic theory predicts the onset of micellar structure formation already at amphiphile concentrations below the critical micelle concentration. It also applies well for the distinctive concentration dependency of the relaxation rate of monomer exchange and likewise for the sound velocity and thus the isentropic compressibility variations with concentration. Comparison of the theoretical predictions is made with special emphasis to short-chain surfactant systems, which allowed for reliable measurements in the range below the critical micelle concentration.
Related Concept Videos
Micelles
The Colloidal State
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...
Entropy and Solvation

