Theory of thermodynamic properties and phase separation of micellar solutions with lower consolute points

Abstract

A recently developed thermodynamic theory is extended to study the single-phase properties and the phase separation of micellar solutions which exhibit lower consolute points. Analytical results for the location of the critical point, shape of the coexistence curve, micellar size distribution, and osmotic compressibility along the critical isochore are presented. These results are in excellent agreement with experimental findings in micellar solutions of the nonionic amphiphile n-dodecyl hexaoxyethylene glycol monoether and water.