Relationship between microemulsion structure and surfactant layer bending elasticity

We recall briefly the knowledge on microemulsion structure emphasizing the importance of the surfactant layer properties. We present results of experiments made with water-alkane-non-ionic surfactants systems that, together with results obtained earlier in other systems, confirm the close relationship between the maximum characteristic size in the microemulsion and the persistence length of the surfactant layer. The possible influence of the Gaussian bending elastic modulus is discussed.