Thermodynamic and dynamic properties of micellar aggregates of nonionic surfactants with short hydrophobic tails

The densities and viscosities of binary aqueous mixtures of poly(ethylenoxide)hexanols [C6H13(OCH2CH2)(m)OH, C6Em] (m = 3, 4, and 5) have been studied in the micellar composition range. For the same surfactants the self-diffusion coefficients in mixtures with heavy water have been determined by the spin-echo pulsed field gradient method. The volumetric data are interpreted by means of the phase separation model, and values of the CMC, volume change, and standard free energy change of micellization are obtained. From the viscosity data the hydration numbers of the surfactant hydrophilic head in the micellar state are computed; they are in agreement with those obtained from HDO self-diffusion data. The surfactant self-diffusion data are used to calculate the apparent micelle radius and the aggregation number. The micellization parameters obtained for the different surfactants are compared and discussed. (C) 1997 Academic Press.