Charged vs. uncharged micelles

The head groups of a detergent can be uncharged, but still

hydrogen bonding so that the surfactant molecule is amphi-

pathic. An example is dimethyldodecylamine N-oxide.

C12H25N(CH3)2OH+ « C12H25N(CH3)2O + H+

low pH high pH

Here the CMC decreases at

high pH because Ge is sub-

stantially reduced due to

deprotonation of the surfactant.

This is shown in Figure.

Physical Chemistry: Colloid and Surface Science

Van Olphen & Mysels 1975 Theorex, La Jolla

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