By means of simulations and numerical solutions of the Mode Coupling Theory (MCT), we investigate the role of intramolecular barriers on the chain dynamics of nonentangled polymer melts. We present a global picture by studying the relaxation of the Rouse modes for a wide range of barrier strength, from fully-flexible to stiff chains. Simulations reveal, on increasing the barrier strength, strong deviations from the Rouse model, as anomalous scaling of relaxation times, long-time plateaux, and nonmonotonic wavelength dependence of the mode correlators. These highly non-trivial dynamics are accounted for by the solutions of the MCT equations. We conclude that MCT constitutes a general, first-principle, approach for chain dynamics in nonentangled polymer melts.
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