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.