Thermodynamic theories of micellar and vesicular systems

Thermodynamic theories of surfactant self-assembly in aqueous solution describe the formation and unique characteristics of aggregates such as micelles and vesicles by considering both intra- and inter-aggregate interactions. Recent developments for single surfactant systems include new descriptions of micelle formation and growth, as well as detailed modeling of micellar size polydispersity and intermicellar interactions. In mixed surfactant systems, the formation of mixed micelles continues to be described by the pseudophase separation approximation and modifications of the regular solution theory, although the size and composition distributions of mixed micelles have also been modeled in the context of broader thermodynamic descriptions. Recent thermodynamic theories have also aimed at a more accurate description of the spontaneous formation and stabilization of mixed surfactant vesicles.