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. 2026 May 15;12(20):eaee0777. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aee0777

Fig. 3. Thermodynamics and kinetics of phases in ionic biogels.

Fig. 3.

(A) Schematic illustration of phase dynamics and the onset of turbidity for NC and BC-NP (left) mimicking LLPS and no turbidity for BC-MP and BC-PP (right) mimicking VPS using UV-Vis temperature. Abs., absorbance units. (B) Particle size analysis of 100 w/w% BC-MP and NC 100 w/w%. Variation of UV-Vis absorbance as a function of temperature during heating and cooling of the (C) NC 35 w/w% system showing turbidity and (D) 100 w/w% BC-MP showing irreversible phase dynamics—failure of turbidity and huge thermal hysteresis. (E) Correlation of change in UV-Vis absorbance and rheological parameters such as loss tangent and viscosity. DSC curves of (F) NC 100 w/w% and (G) 100 w/w% BC-MP systems, showing the onset of interfacial enthalpy.