Comparison of block-copolymer with soap in micelle formation

Simple equations for the micelle formation of block-copolymers are derived from the concept of Leibler-Orland-Wheeler. The size of micelle, core, and corona are expressed in terms of chain length of block-copolymers and homopolymers and the interaction parameters of the components based on the balance between the interface energy and the strain energy of the polymer chains. These equations are extended to the soap micelle by taking the electric repulsion of soap ions into consideration. Various data on the micelle size, the solubility, the critical micelle concentration, the critical solution temperature, and the salt effect can be explained quantitatively by the theory. The solubilization ability is also discussed.