Fluctuation-multipole mechanism of intermicellar interaction in nonionic solutions

This paper continues the study of the new mechanism for long-range interpar ticle interactions in nonionic solutions of spherical micelles first report ed in Lokotosh et al. (Colloid J. 59 (1997) 48). It takes into account that the fluctuation variations of particle's shape change the power of the sur face electrical dipole layer and stimulate the appearance of non-zero elect rostatic multipole moments. The contribution of the fluctuation-multipole m echanism to the interparticle potential is considered in detail. In particu lar, it is shown that this mechanism can lead to either attraction or repul sion depending on the ratio of dielectric constants of micelles to solvent. The comparison with long-range asymptotics of the Hamaker potential is per formed. It is shown that the fluctuation-multipole mechanism dominates in m any cases. Some of its characteristic applications to thermodynamic problem s are considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.