Fluctuation-multipole mechanism of intermicellar interaction in nonionic solutions

This paper continues the study of the new mechanism for long-range interparticle interactions in nonionic solutions of spherical micelles first reported 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 surface electrical dipole layer and stimulate the appearance of non-zero electrostatic multipole moments. The contribution of the fluctuation-multipole mechanism to the interparticle potential is considered in detail. In particular, it is shown that this mechanism can lead to either attraction or repulsion depending on the ratio of dielectric constants of micelles to solvent. The comparison with long-range asymptotics of the Hamaker potential is performed. It is shown that the fluctuation-multipole mechanism dominates in many cases. Some of its characteristic applications to thermodynamic problems are considered.