Interfacial Electric Fields Modulate Redox Reactions in Abiological Coacervates

Biomolecular condensates formed by liquid–liquid
phase separation
(LLPS) establish gradients of biomolecules and ions across the dilute–dense
interface, giving rise to interfacial electric fields (IEFs) that
can drive redox reactions. Here, we demonstrate that such electrochemical
behavior is not exclusive to biological systems. By using polyelectrolyte–counterion
interactions to induce phase separation, we formed synthetic coacervates
that exhibit surface electrical potentials. The resulting IEFs liberate
reactive species such as hydroxyl radicals and electrons from hydroxide
ions, leading to detectable redox activity. These findings reveal
that LLPS-driven electrochemical functions are not limited to biology
and can be harnessed in designed abiological systems to mimic the
biochemical roles of cellular condensates.