Abstract:

A review. The most prominent feature of surfactants is their ability to self-assoc. and form discrete aggregates in aq. dispersions. Among the various self-assembled structures that are produced (vesicles, membranes, liq. crystals, etc.), micelles represent the simplest class of assocn. colloids, and are widely used as nano-architectures for different applications. In spite of the vast literature, a complete understanding of all the exptl. evidences related to the micellization process is still a work in progress. In particular, the thermodn. and kinetics of micellization provide the crucial concepts for the control of dissocn. and reconstruction of micelles, such as in the solubilization, stabilization and delivery of active ingredients, and in cosmetics, detergents, food technol., and in pharmaceutical formulations. In this contribution, we offer an overview of the various structures formed by self-assembling amphiphilic mols. in water. The basic thermodn. involved in self-assembly is described, and an overview of the exptl. techniques used in the characterization of the structure and properties of these nanostructures is given. [on SciFinder(R)]