COMPUTER-SIMULATIONS OF SURFACTANT SELF-ASSEMBLY

In this letter we present the results of computer simulations of a simple water/surfactant model, from which we obtained a complete micellar size distribution. We are able to observe (equilibrium) dynamical processes such as the entering of single surfactants into micelles, single surfactants leaving micelles, the fusion of two micelles, and the slow breakdown of a micelle. We use our results to answer some controversial questions concerning the interactions that are essential for surfactant self-assembly.