Editing Polyelectrolyte (section)

== Polyampholytes ==
 {{Quote box|width = 35%
 |title = [[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry|IUPAC]] definition
 |quote = '''ampholytic polymer''': Polyelectrolyte composed of macromolecules containing both cationic and anionic groups, or corresponding ionizable groups. (See Gold Book entry for note.)<ref name='Gold Book "ampholytic polymer"'>{{cite journal |title=ampholytic polymer |url=https://goldbook.iupac.org/terms/view/AT07196 |website=Gold Book |date=2008 |publisher=IUPAC |access-date=1 April 2024 |ref=Gold Book AT07196 |doi=10.1351/goldbook.AT07196|doi-access=free }}</ref>
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Polyelectrolytes that bear both cationic and anionic repeat groups are called '''[[polyampholytes]]'''. The competition between the acid-base equilibria of these groups leads to additional complications in their physical behavior. These polymers usually only dissolve when sufficient added salt screens the interactions between oppositely charged segments. In the case of amphoteric macroporous hydrogels, the action of concentrated salt solution does not lead to the dissolution of polyampholyte material due to the covalent cross-linking of macromolecules. Synthetic 3-D macroporous hydrogels shows the excellent ability to adsorb heavy-metal ions in a wide range of pH from extremely diluted aqueous solutions, which can be later used as an adsorbent for purification of salty water<ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.3144/expresspolymlett.2012.38| title = Novel macroporous amphoteric gels: Preparation and characterization| journal = Express Polymer Letters| volume = 6| issue = 5| pages = 346–353| year = 2012| last1 = Kudaibergenov | first1 = S.| doi-access = free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1002/masy.201100065| title = Metal Complexes of Amphoteric Cryogels Based on Allylamine and Methacrylic Acid| journal = Macromolecular Symposia| volume = 317–318| pages = 18–27| year = 2012| last1 = Tatykhanova | first1 = G. S. | last2 = Sadakbayeva | first2 = Z. K. | last3 = Berillo | first3 = D. | last4 = Galaev | first4 = I. | last5 = Abdullin | first5 = K. A. | last6 = Adilov | first6 = Z. | last7 = Kudaibergenov | first7 = S. E. }}</ref> All [[protein]]s are polyampholytes, as some [[amino acid]]s tend to be acidic, while others are basic.