Abstract: The present invention relates to an ampholytic polymeric system obtainable by a process comprising the copolymerization of (i) a monomer according to Formula (1), (ii) an ethylenically unsaturated cationic monomer and (iii) a (co)polymer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated anionic monomer which comprises a sulfonate group: (1) wherein X is O or NR2, R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl groups or wherein R1 and R2 form together a (CR1R2)n- chain, wherein n is 3 to 12, and wherein R3 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and CH3. The present invention further relates to the use of ampholytic polymeric system in separation processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating a charged species from an aqueous system, wherein the process comprises the following steps: (a) a first aqueous system comprising the charged species is contacted at a first temperature with an ampholytic polymeric 5 system comprising cationic and anionic domains, wherein the charged species is bonded to the ampholytic polymeric system; and (b) the ampholytic polymeric system is contacted with a second aqueous system at a second temperature, wherein the charged species is released to the second aqueous system, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature and wherein the second 10 temperature is less than 60° C.