Abstract
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a water-soluble, biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, which has been widely applied in biomedical fields. In this paper, novel physically cross-linked hydrogels composed of PVA and comprising a blend of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with different concentrations of HCl, NaOH and NaCl are prepared by a freezing/thawing treatment of aqueous solutions. The structure and complexation of the electrolytes were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The mechanical properties were investigated using rheometery and the thermal transitions of the hydrogels were examined by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Freeze/thawed PVA gels containing NaOH showed overall enhanced swelling with increased mechanical strength over traditional gels prepared by chemical or irradiative crosslinking techniques. These novel physically cross-linked hydrogels show promise for a variety of biomedical and drug delivery applications.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
