Solubilization in aqueous solutions of amphiphiles

Solubilization of organic molecules in aqueous amphiphilar solutions containing surfactant micelles, mixed micelles, vesicles and block copolymer micelles has been actively investigated in recent years. From experimental measurements of the amount solubilized, thermodynamic parameters have been calculated. Theories of solubilization have been developed to predict a priori the aggregate shape, the number of surfactant and solubilizate molecules in the aggregates, and also the location of solubilizates in the aggregates. The thermodynamic studies in conjunction with the theory provide greater molecular insight and improved quantitative understanding of the solubilization phenomenon.