We have utilized surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) band sensitivity to surfactant concentration to investigate the critical micelle concentration (cmc) of CTAB, HY and CPB. The process is based upon an in situ formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the reduction of silver ions (Ag+) by diethylene triamine (DETA) at 25 degrees C. In the presence of cationic surfactants, Ag+ ions can be reduced to AgNPs in a few minutes, accompanied by changes in intensity and wavelength of the SPR band. The spectral shifts of SPR band and the change of color have been used to determine CMC values of cationic surfactants. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.