journal article·2026-07-11Open access

Multi‐Stimuli Responsive Magneto‐Coacervate Droplets for Selective Molecular Enrichment and Programmable Manipulation

Kailang Liu, Haocheng Ran, Haohui Ou, Peiying Chen, Cheng Qi, Tiantian Kong, Zhou Liu

Abstract

ABSTRACT Coacervate droplets formed via liquid–liquid phase separation offer unique opportunities as microreactors and delivery vehicles due to their ability to selectively concentrate biomolecules and support biochemical reactions. However, their passive nature severely restricts precise spatial and temporal control, posing barriers to practical implementation. Here, we report magneto‐coacervate droplets constructed from gelatin, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and superparamagnetic Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 nanoparticles. These magneto‐coacervate droplets exhibit reversible sol–gel transitions controlled by temperature and pH, tunable surface charge properties for electrostatically driven molecular enrichment, and precise three‐dimensional manipulation under external magnetic fields. These magneto‐coacervate droplets can serve as multifunctional platforms, greatly increasing the practical use of phase‐separated microreactors in environmental remediation, biochemical processing, and targeted biomedical interventions. Demonstrated applications include efficient capture and recycling of microplastic pollutants, magnetically enhanced catalytic enzyme cascades with reaction rates 2–3 times higher than those of conventional methods, and targeted vascular embolization through controlled in situ gelation.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization · Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation · Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen Guangdong China

College of Mechatronics and Control Engineering Shenzhen University Shenzhen Guangdong China

Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine Shenzhen University Shenzhen Guangdong China

Department of Urology, Shenzhen Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Shenzhen Second People's Hospital Shenzhen Guangdong China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Program

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