2023 AIChE Annual Meeting

Effects of Copolymer Chemistry on the Formation of Multiphase Complex Coacervates

Complex coacervation is an associative phase separation caused by the interactions of two oppositely charged macromolecules. The resulting liquid-liquid phase separation creates a polyelectrolyte-rich coacervate phase and a polyelectrolyte-dilute supernatant phase. In multiphase complex coacervation, differences in the phase behavior of the polyelectrolytes used may lead to further separation into multiple sub-phases. Research on the topic of coacervation is quickly growing and becoming increasingly applicable to our general lives, but research on multiphase complex coacervation remains limited.

While the formation of multiphase complex coacervation has been previously reported, methods for the formation of multiphase complex coacervates are not yet standardized due to their novelty. In response, I am researching and analyzing the specific conditions of the formation of multiphase complex coacervates. Specifically, I want to understand how differences in polymer chemistry and phase behavior allow for their formation, through copolymers of varying charge density and hydrophobicity. Parameters such as salt and polyelectrolyte concentration are extensively studied. Samples are then investigated via turbidity and microscopy analysis. Multiphase complex coacervation allows for pursuit of advanced laboratory experiments, such as those of self-organized compartmentalization and catalytic conversion of chemical reactions, in microscale, while still preserving important charged interactions and phase separation effects that are critical in macroscale. Namely, this research project aims to develop a precise and consistent experimental method to obtain multiphase complex coacervates, to further investigate the numerous advanced laboratory applications of compartmentalization in drug delivery, vaccine mechanisms, and the modeling of various intracellular structures.