Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC): A Definition
The characteristic concentration of surface active agents (surfactants)
in solution above which the appearance and development of micelles
brings about sudden variation in the relation between the concentration
and certain physico-chemical properties of the solution (such as the surface
tension). Above the CMC the concentration of singly dispersed surfactant
molecules is virtually constant and the surfactant is at essentially its
optimum of activity for many applications.
(also known as critical micellization concentration).
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