An asymptotic theory for the re-equilibration of a micellar surfactant solution (Q2884622)

Micellar surfactant solutions are characterized by a distribution of aggregates made up predominantly of premicellar aggregates (monomers, dimers, trimers, etc.) and a region of proper micelles close to the peak aggregation number, connected by an intermediate region containing a very low concentration of aggregates. Such a distribution gives rise to a distinct two-timescale re-equilibration following a system dilution, known as the \(\tau_1\) and \(\tau_2\) processes, whose dynamics may be described by the Becker-Döring equations.NEWLINENEWLINE The \(\tau_1\)-process is characterized by the uniform shedding of individual monomers from aggregates to replenish the concentration of monomers. The \(\tau_2\)-process is characterized by the entire breakdown of some aggregates via stepwise monomer release. Some of the monomers contribute to reequilibration, while the remainder associates with aggregates which have not broken down. Typical \(\tau_2\)-processes usually last much longer than the \(\tau_1\)-processes.NEWLINENEWLINEThe authors use a continuum version of the Becker-Döring equations to develop a reduced asymptotic description of the \(\tau_1\)- and \(\tau_2\)-processes which elucidates the behavior during each of these processes.