Micellar solubilization (solubilization)

Is the process of incorporating the solubilizate (the component that undergoes solublization)
into or onto micelles. Solublization may occur in a system consisting of a solvent, an
association colloid (a colloid that forms micelles), and at least one other solubilizate.

Usage of the term

Solubilization is distinct from dissolution because the resulting fluid is a colloidal dispersion
involving an association colloid. This suspension is distinct from a true solution, and the
amount of the solubilizate in the micellar system can be different (often higher) than the
regular solubility of the solubilizate in the solvent.

In non-chemical literature and in everyday language, the term "solubilization" is sometimes

usedin a broader meaning as "to bring to a solution or (non-sedimenting) suspension" by any
means, e.g., leaching by a reaction with an acid.

Application

Micellar solubilization is widely utilized, e.g. in laundry washing using detergents, in the
pharmaceutical industry, for formulations of poorly soluble drugs in solution form, and in
cleanup of oil spills using dispersants.

MechanismLiterature distinguishes two major mechanisms of solubilization process of oil by

surfactant micelles, affecting the kinetics of solubilization: surface reaction, i.e., by transient
adsorption of micelles at the water-oil interface, and bulk reaction, whereby the surfactant
micelles capture dissolved oil molecules.