ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the geometrical relations for spherical, globular, and rodlike micelles, consistent with molecular packing considerations, and develop general thermodynamic equations that govern the formation of rodlike micelles. It shows how to estimate the molecular constants appearing in the free energy expressions, describes the computational scheme for making predictive calculations, and demonstrate the predictive power of the molecular theory via illustrative calculations. The chapter considers how rodlike micelles can be manipulated in various ways such as by the addition of a second surfactant, by the addition of an alcohol, and by the addition of a nonionic polymer. Upon micelle formation, the surfactant head groups are brought to the micelle surface where they are crowded when compared to the infinitely dilute state of the singly dispersed surfactant molecules. Transformation of other aggregate structures to rodlike micelles and vice versa is possible by the addition of a second surfactant.
