Soft is the new cool!

Complexation of model and bio-sourced polyelectrolytes

Polyelectrolyte complex coacervates are a class of soft, water-rich materials with widely tunable mechanical properties from viscous liquids to stiff solids. We investigate the complexation behavior of model and bio-sourced polyelectrolytes in water. Studying the effects of various independent parameters, e.g. the (added) salt concentration, polymer molecular weight, etc, we establish the relationships between the composition (phase diagram) and the mechanical propreties of these soft materials. In this context, bio-sourced polymers offers new opportunities to understand the effects of other parameters that are difficult to probe with model systems. The complex coacervate materials developed in our lab are useful for various domains of applications in the health, environment, and construction sectors.