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Surfactant/Emulsifier
NaCl vs. SLS Solutions
Posted: January 16, 2007
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As one continues to add more SLS, the ability to pack the surface stops. This is the critical micelle concentration (CMC). At concentrations below the CMC, surfactants are found at the surface. At the CMC point , the surfactants assemble to form micelles.
Water-soluble groups go into the water and oil soluble groups move to the center, associating with each other. While both beakers contain solutions, the organization of the molecules in the respective liquids is far different.
Likewise, the surfactant properties, (surface tension, ability to wet, foam, cleanse or emulsify) are very different.
