Materials for separating mixtures via selective absorption

Abstract

A method of separating a mixture of fluids may comprise contacting an absorbent material with a mixture of fluids comprising a first fluid and a second fluid having different polarities, wherein the absorbent material selectively absorbs the first fluid to provide a permeate comprising the first fluid and a retentate comprising the second fluid. The absorbent material comprises a zwitterionic polymer, the zwitterionic polymer being a polymerization product of reactants comprising a zwitterionic monomer and a (meth)acrylate crosslinker. The zwitterionic monomer is selected from the group consisting of: a zwitterionic monomer of Formula I, R—(CH)—NR'—(CH)-A, wherein R is selected from a carboxyamide, a (meth)acrylate, and an alkyl; m is an integer of from 0 to 5; each R′ is independently selected from hydrogen and an alkyl; n is an integer of from 1 to 5; and Ais SOor CO; a zwitterionic monomer of Formula II, R—(CH)-A-(CH)—NR′, wherein R is an (meth)acrylate; m is an integer of from 1 to 5; A is PO; n is an integer of from 1 to 5; and each R′ is independently selected from hydrogen and an alkyl; carboxybetaine diacrylamide; (3-methacryloylamino-propyl)-(2-carboxy-ethyl)-dimethylammonium; 3-[Dimethyl-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio]-1-propanesulfonate; 1-methylpyridinium 3-sulfonate; and combinations thereof.