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Diffusive dynamics and electrochemical regulation of weak polyelectrolytes across liquid interfaces

Giulia L Celora*

Ralf Blossey†

Andreas Münch‡

Barbara Wagner§

  • University of Lille, Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle (UGSF), CNRS UMR8576, F-59000 Lille, France

  • *Contact author: giulia.celora@maths.ox.ac.uk
  • †Contact author: ralf.blossey@univ-lille.fr
  • ‡Contact author: muench@maths.ox.ac.uk
  • §Contact author: barbara.wagner@wias-berlin.de
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033227 – Published 8 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xgbm-69cf

Abstract

We propose a framework to study the spatiotemporal evolution of liquid-liquid phase separation of weak polyelectrolytes in ionic solutions. Unlike strong polyelectrolytes, which carry a fixed charge, the charge state of weak polyelectrolytes is modulated by the electrochemical environment through protonation and deprotonation processes. Leveraging numerical simulations and analysis, our work reveals how solution acidity (pH) influences the formation, interactions, and structural properties of phase-separated coacervates. We find that pH gradients can be maintained across coacervate interfaces, resulting in a clear distinction in the electrochemical properties within and outside the coacervate. By regulating the charge state of weak polyelectrolytes, pH gradients interact and modulate the electric double layer forming at coacervate interfaces, eventually determining how they interact. Further linear and nonlinear analyses of stationary localized solutions reveal a rich spectrum of behaviors that significantly distinguish weak from strong polyelectrolytes. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance of charge regulation on phase-separating solutions of charge-bearing molecules and the possibility of harnessing charge-regulated mechanisms to control coacervates and shape their stability and spatial organization.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, 033227– Published 8 September, 2025
  • Received 11 March 2025
  • Accepted 12 June 2025
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