Lecithin organogel - A micellar system with unique properties

Lecithin self-assembles in nonaqueous media into reversed giant cylindrical micelles when small amounts of water, glycerol or formamide are added. The micellar aggregates, much like the polymer molecules, overlap, interpenetr ate, entangle, thus forming a temporal three-dimensional network that bring s about viscoelastic properties. For this reason, the micellar system is in a jelly-like state. This review article considers key results on the phase behavior, molecular interactions, properties, structure and dynamics of th e lecithin organogels as well as current models for the polymer-like micell es. Much attention is given to theological behavior. The effects of a shear flow, electric field and added surfactants, that cause a significant chang e in the structure and properties of the micellar system, are also discusse d. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.