The interaction of amphiphilic polymers with small colloids, capable toreversibly stick onto the chains, is studied. Adhesive small colloids insolution are able to dynamically bind two polymer segments. This associationleads to topological changes in the polymer network configurations, such aslooping and cross-linking, although the reversible adhesion permits the colloidto slide along the chain backbone. Previous analyses only consider statictopologies in the chain network. We show that the sliding degree of freedomensures the dominance of small loops, over other structures, giving rise to anew perspective in the analysis of the problem. The results are applied to theanalysis of the equilibrium between colloidal particles and star polymers, aswell as to block copolymer micelles. The results are relevant for thereversible adsorption of silica particles onto hydrophilic polymers, used inthe process of formation of mesoporous materials of the type SBA or MCM,cross-linked cyclodextrin molecules threading on the polymers and forming thestructures known as polyrotaxanes. Adhesion of colloids on the corona of thelatter induce micellization and growth of larger micelles as the number ofcolloids increases, in agreement with experimental data.
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