Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC)

Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) is the specific concentration of surfactant molecules in a liquid at which they begin to spontaneously gather into organized clusters called micelles. Below the CMC, surfactants mostly stay separate, floating individually. Once the CMC is reached, additional surfactant molecules preferentially form micelles, which help solubilize substances like oils or dirt. This threshold is important in many applications, including detergents, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, because it determines the efficiency of cleaning or delivery processes.