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.

• Received 26 June 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.248304