Micellization theory

Figure 3.6. Two-dimensional representation of molecules in a crystalline polymer according to the fringed micelle theory showing ordered regions (crystallites) embedded in an amorphous matrix.

The fringed micelle theory has been less favoured recently following research on the subject of polymer single crystals. This work has led to the suggestion that polymer crystallisation takes place by single molecules folding themselves at intervals of about 10 nm to form lamellae as shown in Figure 3.3b. These lamellae appear to be the fundamental structures of crystalline polymers. 

Shortly after the publication of Meyer s paper Staudinger denounced the work of Meyer and Mark as what he called the "New Micelle Theory" (84). In a short time Staudinger and Meyer embarked on an exchange of polemical letters and papers which lasted for more than ten years. Mark, caught between recalled ... 

Then, a few months afterward Meyer repeated and generalized the cellulose structure to include crystalline knots at regular intervals (28). This model was useful in explaining not only the properties of cellulose, but those of rubber as well. Staudinger called the concept unusable, incorrect, and dubbed it "the New Micelle Theory". 

Figure 3.6). This theory known as the fringed micelle theory or fringed crystallite theory helped to explain many properties of crystalline polymers but it was difficult to explain the formation of certain larger structures such as spherulites which could possess a diameter as large as 0.1 mm.

Chemical equilibrium in heterogeneous systems (from the thermodynamic standpoint) when capillary or electrical effects are of importance—Adsorption—Donnan s theory of membrane equilibria—Micelle theory of colloidal electrolytes... 

Berthelot also noticed that depolymerization of the solid mass back to styrene occurred at even higher temperatures. This simple conversion of styrenes poly(styrene) styrene, obtainable only through temperature change, later formed an apparently reliable basis for the micelle theory of such substances. 

The micellization theory given here may be tested by applying Equation 11.20 to the experimental data collected in Table 11.1... 

Their disagreement was slight when Meyer reiterated their views in a second paper. Shortly afterward, in October, 1928, Staudinger formally criticized their views and dubbed their model "the new Micelle Theory" (15). The most important issues to Staudinger were the importance of secondary bonding to physical properties and priority. 

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