DYNAMICS OF GIANT POLYMER-LIKE MICROEMULSIONS

We report a study of the dynamic properties of polymer-like lecithin w ater-in-oil microemulsions using rheological measurements. These syste ms form a viscoelastic network at concentrations higher than the overl ap concentration, PHI. The results from the frequency dependent measu rements are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms for stress relax ation using recently developed theories for 'equilibrium polymers'. Pa rticular emphasis is given to a critical examination of the possibilit y of formation of a crosslinked versus an entangled network of polymer -like micelles.