Faculty of Applied and Computer

Science
Department of Chemistry

Initials and surname : Tumelo Seobi

Student No : 20222858

Subject : Physical Chemistry 4

(Practical)
Experiment No :1
Micelles and the determination of the critical micelle concentration of sodium dodecyl
sulphate.

2. Apparatus
1 L volumetric flasks
10x 250ml volumetric flasks
Weighing boats
Wash bottles
Pipettes
Burett

3. Precalculations
For the preparation of 2.0x10-2 ml.dm-3 (1dm-3) stock solution of sodium dodecyl sulphate
(SDS) (M=288.23g.mol-1)

C = N/V
M = CxVxM
= 288.23g.mol-1 x 2.0x10-2 ml.dm-3 x 1dm-3
= 5.7646g

For 1.00 X 10-2 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2

V1 = 1.00x10-2 x 250
2.0x10-2
= 125 ml

For 9.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 9 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 112.5 cm3

For 8.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 8 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 100 cm3

For 7.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 7 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 87.5 cm3

For 6.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 6 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 75 cm3

For 5.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 5 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 62.5 cm3

For 4.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 4 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 50 cm3

For 3.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 3 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 37.5 cm3
For 2.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 2 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 25 cm3

For 1.00 X 10-3 mol.dm-3 solution

C1V1 = C2V2
2 X 10-2 * V1 = 1 X 10 -3 * 250
V1 = 12.5 cm3

4. Method
The stock solution of 2.0x10-2 mol.dm-3 was prepared by weighing 5.7646g and
transferred into 1L volumetric flask. The solution was filled to the mark with distilled
water. The following series of solution, 1.0 x 10-3, 2.0x 10-3, 3.0x 10-3, 4.0x 10-3, 5.0x 10-3,
6.0x 10-3, 7.0x 10-3, 8.0x 10-3, 9.0x 10-3, 1.0 x 10-2 were directly prepared from that master
or stock solution.

5. Results
Concentration √conc. Density Mass of conductance Molar
(mol.dm-3) g.cm-3 sample g O-1.m-1 conductivity
O-1.m2.mol-1
1.0 x 10-3 0.0316 0.9983 24.9582 1.596 -1596.000
2.0x 10-3 0.0447 0.9959 24.8977 0.03 15.000
3.0x 10-3 0.0547 0.9903 24.7580 0.083 283.333
4.0x 10-3 0.0632 0.9937 24.8437 1.15 287.500
5.0x 10-3 0.0707 0.9820 24.5506 2.831 566.200
6.0x 10-3 0.0775 0.9866 24.6648 3.819 636.500
7.0x 10-3 0.0837 0.9515 23.7885 3.38 482.857
8.0x 10-3 0.0894 0.9747 24.3668 3.64 455.000
9.0x 10-3 0.0949 0.9809 24.5237 5.241 582.333
1.0 x 10-2 0.1 1.006 25.0153 5.22 522.000
Mass of Mass of
empty flask g empty flask
and sample g
21.7919 46.9301
21.7965 46.8742
22.3888 47.1468
22.9975 47.8312
22.9556 47.4962
22.4347 47.0995
23.3425 47.131
22.7697 47.1365
22.5337 47.0574
21.8727 46.888

Calculation for density

P = M/V
= 24.9582/25
= 0.9983 g.cm-3

Molar conductivity = conductivity

Concentration
= -1.596
0.001
= -1596 O-1.m2.mol-1

6. Discussion
2.

Concentration vs Density

1.02
1.01
1
0.99
Density

0.98
0.97 Series1
0.96
0.95
0.94
0.93
0.92
-3

3
0-

0-
0-

0-
10

1
1

1
x

0x

0x
0x

0x
0

5.

7.
3.

9.
1.

Concentration

Conductivity vs Concentration

6
Conductivity

5
4
3
2
1
0
-3 -3 -3 -3 -3
x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10
1. 0 3. 0 5. 0 7. 0 9. 0
Concentration
3.

molar conductivity vs ( conc)^1/2

700
molar conductivity

600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.1
( conc)^1/2

Questions

1a)

b) In the cmc concentration region, experimental results were complicated by an

apparent temperature dependent increase in the solubility of the micellar phase. This
resulted in desorption from the surface, with a resultant increase in surface tension.

c)

2) When we leave the sodium dodecyl sulphate in an open place, it can absorb water and
other impurities from the atmosphere. The only way to get the sodium dodecyl sulphate
pure would be to recrystallise it to remove the crystellised water. If the substance is not
pure, its molar conductivity will change, which will affect our results.
3) Intrinic colloids are usually lyophilic, and they are usually either macromolecules
(such as proteins) or long – chain molecules with polar end groups, which tend to
aggregate and form particles of colloidal size.
• The hydrocarbon interior of a micelle is like a droplet of oil. Nuclear magnetic
resonance shows that the hydrocarbon tails are mobile.
• Micelles also consist of long – chain hydrocarbon molecules each having at one
end a polar group such as a carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid group. These
molecules are readily absorbed at oil to water interfaces; the hydrocarbon chains
become attached to the oil and the polar group to the water.

4) Solubilization is exhibited by solutions containing micelles, meaning, they posses

the ability to dissolve appreciable quantities of substances, eg. Azobenzene, which
are insoluble in water. These substances must dissolve and be incorporated in the
hydrophobic interior of the micelle. This solubilization shows a marked increase
above cmc.