Degradable polyphosphoester-based aqueous two-phase systems and water-in-water emulsions

Completely water-based multicompartment systems have gained significant interest in polymer chemistry recently, mainly due to their interesting properties for molecular separation, material design and catalytic environments. Herein, we present new aqueous two-phase systems and water-in-water emulsions based on a polysaccharide and a polyphosphoester, namely dextran (Dex) and poly(ethylene ethyl phosphonate) (PPE), respectively. The aqueous two-phase formation is investigated <i>via</i> a phase diagram, and water-in-water emulsions are formed making use of silica nanoparticles as stabilizers. The system is designed to investigate the effect of polymer orthogonal degradation and the role of either Dex or PPE in breaking the two-phase systems or the emulsions. This development is a considerable step forward enhancing control over aqueous multi-phase systems, by making use not only of polymer components but also of their degradation to design desired properties. These properties might be a relevant avenue for developments in the research area of all-aqueous systems for encapsulation, delivery and release as well as membraneless-organelle mimics.