Structure and dynamics of polymer-like reverse micelles

We present pulsed-field-gradient NMR and time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering experimental data to bear out the polymer-like nature of long, flexible micelles in the lecithin-water-cyclohexane system. The molecular transport of lecithin is described in terms of curvilinear lateral diffusion along the contour length of unbranched entangled cylindrical micelles. Moreover, an isotropic-to-nematic phase transition is induced under shear, characterized by a certain degree of alignment of the micelles. As a final result the lecithin micelles appear to be more polymer-like than wormlike micellar systems in general.