Models of micelle formation

We have tested the predictions of four thermodynamic models of micelle formation against experimental enthalpies of micelle formation of model surfactants across a range of temperatures. The mass action (MA) approach agrees best with experimental observations. The change in thermodynamic parameters of micelle formation with temperature has been interpreted according to a two‐step model of hydrogen bonds in water. This model explains the trends correctly but is open to criticism regarding the choice of parameters. We give a brief review of our own computer simulations of self‐assembly which suggest that non‐hydrogen‐bonded liquids are solvents in which self‐assembly can take place too. Other experimental evidence lends support to the conclusion that a sufficiently large difference between the solvent and solute cohesiveness parameters is enough for self‐assembly to occur in a solvent.