We present a study of equilibrium chain-exchange kinetics of a well-defined model system for starlike polymeric micelles. The results show that the kinetics follows a logarithmic time dependence. The same feature has been confirmed for two other micellar systems. This is in sharp contrast to theoretical predictions and hints towards strongly coupled chain dynamics within the micellar cores induced by geometrical constraints.

• Received 13 April 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.068302