Abstract:
The “quenched” or strongly charged polyampholytes represent amphoteric macromolecules consisting of static positive and negative charges [1,2]. The volume-phase, swelling-deswelling, self-healing, viscoelastic, and mechanical properties of „quenched” polyampholyte gels are discussed in aqueous-salt solutions together with their stimuli-responsive character [3]. Application aspects of „quenched” polyampholytes cover biotechnology, biomedicine, oil recovery, desalination, catalysis and supercapacitors [4,5]. Understanding of the fundamental relationships between the microstructure and property of crosslinked amphoteric macromolecules will open renewed interest to polyampholytes in whole and „quenched” polyampholytes in particular.