ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF MONOLAYERS OF SOLUBLE SURFACTANTS AT OIL-BRINE INTERFACES

The microstructure of microemulsions and related systems diluted in su rfactant is determined in a first approximation via the characteristic s of the surfactant monolayer: the bending elastic modulus, K, the sad dle splay modulus, (K) over bar and the spontaneous curvature C-0. The methods which were developed to measure these quantities in Winsor eq uilibrium (microemulsions or related systems in equilibrium with an ex cess of oil or brine) are discussed. Results concerning various surfac tants are given and compared with the results obtained for similar sys tems with other techniques. It is also shown how these results explain the observed phase structures.