Abstract.
We address the problem of classification of the type of association (multimerization) in solutions of identical unimers. Although the aggregation is still routinely characterized in terms of either “open association” or “closed association” models, neither of the two models can provide a fair description of many aggregation processes. We demonstrate that a realistic multimerization may show mixed basic features, i.e. simultaneously those typical of the classical open association and those typical of the classical closed association. In particular, we show that a living polymerization may seem to exhibit a critical micelle concentration (CMC), whereas the basic integral characteristics of a “closed” system with rather monodisperse micelles ( (mw/mn\( \left.\vphantom{m_w/m_n}\right)_{{mic}}^{}\) = 1.02) may not imply a well-defined CMC. Therefore, a multimerization must be characterized by the detailed micelle size distribution that largely defines the equilibrium and dynamical properties of the system. To this end, we suggest a simple method of deriving the micelle size distribution cm (depending also on the total concentration of amphiphilic molecules) from the concentration dependence of just the mean aggregation number, mw(c). Our results thus invite a reconsideration of the basic methods used for interpretation of experimental data on micellization.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
H.-G. Elias, The study of association and aggregation via light scattering, in Light Scattering from Polymer Solutions, edited by M.B. Huglin (Academic Press, London, N.Y., 1972) Chapt. 9.
J.N. Israelachvili, Intermolecular and Surface Forces (Academic Press, N.Y., 1985).
M.E. Cates, S.J. Candau, J. Phys. Condens. Matter 2, 6869 (1990).
E.R. Jones, C.R. Bury, Philos. Mag. 4, 841 (1927).
H.-G. Elias, H. Lys, Makromol. Chem. 96, 64 (1966).
A.M. Young, J.S. Higgins, D.G. Peiffer, A.R. Rennie, Polymer 36, 691 (1995).
Y. Zhang, M. Li, Q. Fang, Macromolecules 31, 2527 (1998).
C. Chassenieux, T. Nicolai, D. Durand, Macromolecules 30, 4952 (1997).
N.P. Shusharina, M.V. Saphonov, I.A. Nyrkova, P.G. Khalatur, A.R. Khokhlov, Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 100, 857 (1996).
B.A. Noskov, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 95, 237 (2002).
P. Vanhoorne, R. Jerome, Macromolecules 28, 5664 (1995).
V. Schaedler, C. Nardin, U. Wiesner, E. Mendes, J. Phys. Chem. B, 104, 5049 (2000).
P.F. Dewhurst, M.R. Lovell, J.L. Jones, R.W. Richards, J.R.P. Webster, Macromolecules, 31, 7851 (1998).
A.M. Young, R. Garcia, J.S. Higgins, Polymer, 39, 1525 (1998) (and references therein).
C. Gourier, E. Beaudoin, M. Duval, J. Colloid Interface Sci. 230, 41 (2000).
A.M. Pedley, J.S. Higgins, D.G. Peiffer, W. Burchard, Macromolecules 23, 1434 (1990).
A. Aggeli, J. Mater. Chem. 7, 1135 (1997)
I.A. Nyrkova, Eur. Phys. J. B 17, 481
A. Aggeli, I.A. Nyrkova, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 98, 11857 (2001).
J.C. Salamone (Editor), Polymeric Materials Encyclopedia, Vol. 1 (CRC Press, 1996) p. 817.
E.A.G. Aniansson, S.N. Wall, J. Phys. Chem. 78, 1024 (1974)
B. Chu, Laser Light Scattering (Academic Press Inc., N.Y., 1990).
I.A. Nyrkova, A.N. Semenov, Faraday Discuss. 128, 113 (2005)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nyrkova, I.A., Semenov, A.N. Multimerization: Closed or open association scenario?. Eur. Phys. J. E 17, 327–337 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10146-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10146-5