A slip-spring simulation model for predicting linear and nonlinear rheology of entangled wormlike micellar solutions

We extend the single-chain slip-spring model developed by Likhtman [Macromolecules 38, 6128 (2005)] to describe the dynamics and rheology of entangled polymers to wormlike micellar solutions by incorporating chain breakage and rejoining, which are the key additional dynamics present in wormlike micellar solutions. We show that the linear rheological properties obtained from this micelle slip-spring model are in good agreement with mesoscopic simulations using the “pointer algorithm” [W. Zou and R. G. Larson, J. Rheol. 58, 681 (2014)] and can be fit to experimental results after an adjustment to correct for the too-high flexibility of the micelles assumed in the slip-spring model. Finally, we use this model to predict the nonlinear rheological properties of entangled wormlike micelles, which are the first predictions that include the effects of entanglements, breakage and rejoining, Rouse modes, and stretch of bead-spring micellar chains with Hookean springs.