ASC

EXPERIMENT 4

DETERMINATION OF DEGREE OF MICELLE

IONISATION

THIKAMENI MUNENGUNI
221057269
Abstract
The degree of micelle ionization in surfactant solutions was determined through conductometric
titration. A series of surfactant solutions with varying concentrations were prepared and titrated with
a standardized solution of sodium chloride. The change in conductivity upon titration was measured,
and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined from the inflection point in the
conductance curve. The degree of micelle ionization was then calculated using the relationship
between the CMC and the concentration of surfactant in solution. The experiment provided insights
into the behavior of surfactant molecules in solution and their propensity to form micelles.

Introduction
Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that possess both hydrophilic (polar) and hydrophobic (non-
polar) regions. In aqueous solutions, surfactant molecules tend to self-associate into aggregates
known as micelles, where the hydrophobic tails are sequestered from the surrounding water
molecules. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) is the concentration at which surfactant
molecules begin to form micelles spontaneously. The degree of micelle ionization, represented by α,
reflects the proportion of surfactant molecules that have undergone ionization within the micelles. In
this experiment, the degree of micelle ionization in surfactant solutions was determined through
conductometric titration.

Results and data

Table 1: experimental data and calculated results

Volume (ml) Conductivity (µs/cm) Concentration (M)

50 152.0 0.00300
45 150.6 0.00270
40 143.6 0.00240
35 133.7 0.00210
30 126.9 0.00180
25 117.9 0.00150
22 118.1 0.00132
20 115.9 0.00120
15 108.4 0.00090
13 94.6 0.00078
12 89.2 0.00072
10 76.8 0.00060
8 66.2 0.00048
7 60.3 0.00042
6 52.6 0.00036
5 46.8 0.00030
The cmc 0.9000

CALCULATIONS
C1V1 = C2V2

(0.003M)(45ml) = C2 (50ml)

C2 = 0.00270 M

y = 0.1007x + 0.0169

y = 0.0224x + 0.0874

0.0224x + 0.0874 = 0.1007x +00169

-0.0783x = -0.0705
X = 0.9004

0.9004 M

α = 0.1007
0.0224

=0.222

∆G omic = (2−α)RT lncmc

= (2 – 0.222) (8.314)(298)ln(0.9004)

= -462.2 J

=-0.462kJ

It is a single chain surfactant and the negative show spontaneous phenomena of micellisation

ANSWERS TO QUESTONS
-The overall solution conductivity is due to free Br- ions present in the solution.
-It was assumed that the conductivity due to larger CTA+ ions and even larger micelles is negligible
because of the size of this species.
-The degree of ionisation of micelles is independent to the concentration. Davies,W.M.(2011).
2.As the concentration of the ionic surfactant is increased, the electrostatic repulsive force between
ionic head groups of the surfactant molecule is reduced by shielding of micelle charge.
3.Conductivity measurement are non-specific and cannot distinguish between different types of ions
present in the surfactant since zwitterionic surfactant
(Triton X-100 & dodecyl betaine) contain both +ve and –ve ions thus giving readings proportional to
the combined effect of all ions present
4. Gibbs free energy of micellisation decreases with the increase with temperature because increasing
temperature, promotes more interaction between heads and tails thus decreases the formation of
aggregates or micelles, therefore there is a positive entropy of micelle formation thus increase in
entropy decreases the Gibbs free energy. Kelly,A.M., & Kelley,A.M. (2012).

DISCUSSION
The experiment demonstrated the use of conductometric titration to determine the degree of micelle
ionization in surfactant solutions. The inflection point in the conductance curve corresponded to the
critical micelle concentration (CMC), at which surfactant molecules begin to form micelles
spontaneously. The degree of micelle ionization was calculated from the CMC and the initial
concentration of surfactant.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the experiment successfully determined the degree of micelle ionization in surfactant
solutions using conductometric titration. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined
from the inflection point in the conductance curve, and the degree of micelle ionization was
calculated accordingly as 0.222. This experiment provided valuable insights into the behavior of
surfactant molecules in solution and their propensity to form micelles, which have significant
implications in various industrial and biological processes.
REFERENCE

Lister.T.(2011). Classic chemistry demonstrations.London.Royal Society of Chemistry

Davies,W.M.(2011).Physical chemistry: A modern introduction, second editionKelly,A.M., &

KELLEY,A.M. (2012).Electrochemistry 8th edition. Retrieved fromhttps://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Lin,S.H., Villaeys,A.A., & Fujimura,.Y (2004). Advances in electrochemistry process. Retrievedfrom

https://ebookcentral.proquest.com