Nano and micro domains of complex coacervates in organic solvents to encapsulate enzymes

Complex coacervate droplets and complex coacervate-core micelles (C3Ms) are formed by the associative phase separation of oppositely-charged polyelectrolytes in water. These complexes have been investigated in aqueous solutions and have showed potential for various applications, particularly those involving the encapsulation of enzymes. However, there are few reports discussing their behavior in organic solvents. Here, we investigate the formation, structural characteristics, and stability of copolymer + homopolymer-based C3Ms in organic solvents of different polarities (such as toluene, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) with small amounts of water. We also investigate the dispersion and stabilization of microdroplets of coacervates in organic solvent using random-block copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups that concentrate at the interface coacervate-organic solvent. These systems of C3Ms and coacervate droplets represent new ways to have respectively nano or micro domains of water and polyelectrolytes in organic solvent, which qualifies them as potential hosts for enzymatic catalysis. Thus, both C3Ms and coacervate microdroplets in organic solvent are being investigated as to their ability to stabilize protein and as to their ability to perform enzymatic catalysis. The former are stable for long periods, while the latter phase separates with time, which can even facilitate the process of recovering the catalyst for reuse.