This text addresses the dynamic aspects of micellar equilibria, tracking surfactant exchange and micelle formation/breakdown processes. It highlights the structural similarities of amphiphilic block copolymers to surfactants, and elucidates the dynamics of more complex self-assemblies that surfactants and amphiphilic block copolymers form in solutions. The book also presents the dynamics of surfactant adsorption on surfaces; the rheology of viscoelastic surfactant solutions and their relation to micelle dynamics; the kinetics of chemical reactions performed in surfactant self-assemblies used as microreactors; and much more.

From the Preface: “...The purpose of this book is to present an up-to-date picture of the dynamic aspects of self-assemblies of surfactants and amphiphilic block copolymers, from micelles to solubilized systems, microemulsions, vesicles, and lyotropic mesophases...This book summarizes a large number of papers scattered in many scientific journals. It attempts to present a unified view of the dynamics of the systems that are considered...”

Target Audience: Polymer chemists, chemical engineers, and upper-level students interested in surfactant self-assemblies.

Table of Contents:

Introduction to Surfactants and Surfactant Self-Assemblies

Methods for the Study of the Dynamics of Surfactant Self-Assemblies

Dynamics in Micellar Solutions of Surfactants

Dynamics in Micellar Solutions of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

Dynamic Processes in Microemulsions

Dynamic Processes in Aqueous Vesicle Systems

Dynamics of Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Phases of Surfactants and Lipids and of Transitions Between These Two Phases

Dynamics of Adsorption of Cationic Surfactants at Air—Water and Solid—Liquid Interfaces

Rheological Properties of Viscoelastic Surfactant Solutions: Relationship with Micelle Dynamics

Reaction Processes in Self-Assembly Systems

Index