The present teachings provide new compositions comprising polycations and polycations, and the preparation and use of these new compositions, In one aspect, the new compositions are complex coacervates. The compositions described herein can have several desired properties, including, low interfacial tension in water, adjustable cohesive strength, antimicrobial activity, suitability for dissolution at or near physiological pH, the ability to promote cell attachment, biocompatiblility, and/or biodegradability. Thus, in various embodiments, the complex coacervates can be used in water-based applications, for example, in the body.
