In colloidal chemistry, an aggregation number is a description of the number of molecules present in a micelle once the critical micelle concentration (CMC) has been reached. In more detail, it has been defined as the average number of surfactant monomers in a spherical micelle.[1]

The aggregation number of micelles can be determined by isothermal titration calorimetry when the aggregation number is not too high.[2][3]

Another classical experiment to determine the mean aggregation number would involve the use of a luminescent probe, a quencher and a known concentration of surfactant. If the concentration of the quencher is varied, and the CMC of the surfactant known, the mean aggregation number can be calculated.

References

  1. ↑ Moroi, Yoshikiyo. Micelles: theoretical and applied aspects. Springer Science & Business Media, 1992.
  2. ↑ N.E. Olesen. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 453 (2015) 79-89
  3. ↑ Bouchemal, Kawthar, et al. "What can isothermal titration microcalorimetry experiments tell us about the self‐organization of surfactants into micelles?." Journal of Molecular Recognition 23.4 (2010): 335-342.


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