micellkonentrasjon

Micellkonzentrasjon refers to the minimum concentration of a surfactant above which micelles begin to form in a solution. Surfactants are molecules that have both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts. In water, at concentrations below the micelle concentration, surfactant molecules will orient themselves at the air-water interface or remain dispersed as individual molecules.

Once the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is reached, the surfactant molecules spontaneously aggregate into spherical or rod-like structures called micelles. Within a micelle, the hydrophobic tails are sequestered in the interior, away from the water, while the hydrophilic heads face outwards, interacting with the surrounding solvent. This self-assembly process is driven by the hydrophobic effect.

The CMC is a fundamental property of a surfactant and is influenced by factors such as the surfactant's chemical structure, temperature, the presence of electrolytes, and the solvent. Measuring the CMC is important in various fields, including colloid science, detergent formulation, drug delivery, and environmental science, as it dictates the solubility and behavior of substances in aqueous solutions.