Fabrication and Characterization of PVA Based Cross-linked Film with Oxalic Acid

Abstract

Different properties are point of attractive as per their field of application now days. A synthetic polymer such as PVA is one of the polymers which have recyclability and degradable properties. PVA is colorless, water soluble and have a unique property that it is not produced in polymerization reaction. PVA is produced by dissolving another polymer i.e. polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) in alcohol such as methanol and treating it with alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide. In the present work main focus is to decrease water solubility along with improvement in mechanical properties. Oxalic acid (OA) was used as a crosslinker with PVA. Main parameter were concentration of oxalic acid (wt %), Curing Temperature (°C) and curing duration (Minutes). Water absorption test were performed to check water solubility, of PVA film crosslinked with oxalic acid. Mechanical characterization of films was done by tensile test which determines the UTS (ultimate tensile strength), % elongation and Young’s modulus. ANOVAs analysis was also performed to masseur the impact various factor on the properties of PVA film. It was observed in present work that water solubility decreases with increase in wt% of oxalic acid. Major factor was curing time duration. UTS of crosslinked film was increased by 142% as compared to neat PVA and maximum value of Young’s modulus was found 5857 MPa whereas neat PVA was only 1469MPA.