Mesostructured fluids: a geometrical model predicting experimental data

A geometrical model describing reverse micellar systems has been developed. A single phase containing assembled structures on two different length scales is described and the hydration of surfactants involved in each structure determined. By taking into account the water–surfactant interface a transition from interconnected cylinders to spheres has been predicted and is confirmed by experimental data. Furthermore, interdigitation between reverse micelles can be predicted and observed experimentally.