Effect of small molecules on the phase behavior and coacervation of aqueous solutions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4-styrene sulfonate).

The presence of MB or BtB accelerates the coacervation process due to the increased hydrophobicity within coacervates by the addition of MB or BtB. The encapsulated MB or BtB tends to reduce the ionic crosslink density in the PDAC-SPS coacervates, resulting in a much weaker interconnecting network of the PDAC-SPS coacervates.