Micelles: Thermodynamics and Formation

This lecture delves into the thermodynamics of micelles, exploring concepts such as surface pressure, semi-dilute solutions, aggregate concentration, and critical micelle concentration. It discusses the influence of aggregate shape, energies in aggregates, and the formation of lyotropic liquid crystals. The instructor explains the requirements for micelle formation, the role of intermolecular forces in determining aggregate structure, and the packing parameter of amphiphiles. Additionally, it covers the shapes aggregates can attain, the influence of aspect ratio on aggregate shape, and provides examples of aggregates like sodium dodecyl sulfate. The lecture concludes with a discussion on cylindrical micelles and how their structure is influenced by volume fraction and aggregation number.