Background:
Individual amphiphiles, polymers, and colloidal dispersions influenced by temperature, pH, and environmental conditions or interactions between their oppositely charged pairs in solvent medium often produce solvent-rich and solvent-poor phases in the system. The solvent-poor denser phase found either on the top or the bottom of the system is called coacervate. Coacervates have immense applications in various technological fields.
Methods:
N/A - Review article
Results:
This review comprises a concise introduction, focusing on the types of coacervates, and the influence of different factors in their formation, structures, and stability. In addition, their physicochemical properties, thermodynamics of formation, and uses and multifarious applications are also concisely presented and discussed. The review covers theories of coacervation, methods used for the determination of coacervates properties, and factors influencing coacervation including ionic strength, pH, molecular weight, chirality, charge density, temperature, and solvent. It also details coacervate types (simple and complex, including polyelectrolyte–polyelectrolyte, polyelectrolyte–surfactant, surfactant–surfactant, and peptide/protein types), their preparation, and properties.
Data Summary:
The review systematically categorizes coacervate types and the specific factors influencing their formation, such as ionic strength, pH, molecular weight, chirality, charge density, temperature, and solvent. It also outlines distinct application areas for coacervates, including wastewater treatment, protein purification, food formulation, cellular mimics, nanoparticle synthesis, and delivery carriers.
Conclusions:
Coacervates represent a special disperse state of amphiphilic and polymeric materials in solution, formed as a solvent-poor denser phase under various environmental conditions or through interactions of oppositely charged pairs. Their formation, structures, stability, physicochemical properties, and thermodynamics are significantly influenced by multiple system parameters.
Practical Significance:
Coacervates possess immense applications in various technological fields, serving practical roles in wastewater treatment, protein purification, food formulation, cellular mimics, nanoparticle synthesis, and as delivery carriers.