Anomalous Dynamics in 2D Polymer Melts

The dynamics in polymer monolayers where chains are strongly confined and adopt 2D conformations are drastically different to those in the bulk. It is shown that viscoelastic hydrodynamic interactions play a major role defining the anomalous chain diffusion properties in such systems where chains cannot cross each other. We developed a quantitative analytical theory of polymer subdiffusion in 2D systems revealing a complex behavior controlled by a delicate interplay of inertial, viscoelastic hydrodynamic interactions, finite-box-size and frictional effects. The theory is fully supported by extensive momentum-conserving and Langevin molecular-dynamics simulation data explaining the highly cooperative character of 2D polymer motions. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.248304