3/7/2018 Micelle

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Micelle Glossar

Micelles are aggregates of molecules of a surfactant in a bulk liquid phase. Foam

Foam Flas
Fowkes m
Background Height-w
Hysteresis
As the concentration of a surfactant increases, adsorption takes place at the surface until it is fully
overlaid, which corresponds to the minimum value of the surface tension. After this, micelles form in Interfacia
the volume phase. The groups of micelles with less affinity to the volume phase (usually the Laplace p
hydrophobic groups) are oriented inwards. Liquid Ne
Lotus effe
Method a
Method a
Micelle
Microemu
Oss and G
Owens, W

Related

Structure of a micelle K100

Micelles in which the hydrophobic group is oriented outwards are described as inverse micelles.
Micelles can incorporate substances which are not soluble in the bulk liquid (e.g. oil in water). The
action of surfactants is based on this, e.g. for washing.

The transition concentration at which micelles start to form is described as the critical micelle
concentration (CMC). The CMC is an important characteristic for surfactants.

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