Liquid–liquid phase separation in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate homopolymers

Here, the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in aqueous solutions containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) methacrylate homopolymers is reported for first time. In this study, thermoresponse of concentrated DEGMA60 (two ethylene glycol, EG, groups) TEGMA71 (three EG groups), OEGMA300x (4.5 average varying molar masses (MM), and OEGMA50028 (nine discussed. Interestingly, temperature LLPS (TLLPS) controlled by length PEG side chain, MM polymer concentration. More specifically, transition decreases with: (i) Decrease (ii) increase OEGMA300x, addition, also observed mixtures with Pluronic® F127. conclusion, these systems present a thermally induced LLPS, being finely tuned to room when DEGMA used. These find potential use numerous applications, from purification “water-in-water” emulsions.