Ion Specificity of Micelles Explained by Ionic Dispersion Forces

We consider the origin of the ion specificity found for the physical properties of micelles. Ions in solution have a polarizability different from that of the surrounding water. The excess polarizability is different for different ions and gives rise to ion specific dispersion forces toward, or away from, interfaces. We show that ionic dispersion forces have important influences on self-consistent potentials, ion distributions, and surface adsorption excess per headgroup on micelles.