Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Research Articles

Structural, optical, and morphological evaluation of PVA/Bi-Ni oxide-rGO nanocomposite casted films for optical devices applications

Herein, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films doped with various concentrations of Bi2O3-NiO-rGO (BNG) nanoparticles were prepared through casting method. BNG nanoparticles were synthesized first using the co-precipitation method and then loaded into the polymer matrix. Various techniques like X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and optical microscopes were used to determine the PVA’s structure after BNG nanoparticle additives. The thermal stability of the PVA’s film after the additive BNG nanoparticles was examined using the DSC technique. Furthermore, the optical parameters including bandgap energy (Eg), Urbach energy (EU), refractive index (n), optical conductivity, and optical dielectric constants were investigated via the absorbance and transmission data recorded using UV-visible spectroscopy. In addition, the photoemission spectra of the PVA matrix were determined after the inclusion of BNG nanoparticles. The Eg value decreases from 5.57 eV to 3.94 eV and from 4.8 eV to about 1.98 eV for direct and indirect transitions, respectively. While the EU value increases from 0.39 eV for pure PVA to about 3.23 eV for PVA: 4%BNG. The refractive index grows with the insertion of BNG to the PVA from 1.387 for pure PVA to about 5.157 for PVA: 4%BNG, which is a good suggestion for optical glasses applications. In addition, the increase in optical dielectric constants and optical conductivity with rising the BNG nanoparticle concentrations in the PVA matrix was confirmed. Such enhancement suggests the use of prepared samples in optical device applications.

Characterization of Composite Film Containing Polyvinyl Alcohol Cross‐Linked With Dialdehyde Cellulose Using Citric Acid as a Catalyst for Sustainable Packaging

ABSTRACTThis study is aimed at fabricating composite films by cross‐linking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) in varying ratios using citric acid as a catalyst. The acetal formation between the two components was studied using FTIR. Characterizations of the physiochemical properties revealed that increasing the DAC ratio of the composite film improved the hydrophobicity, tensile strength and barrier properties (water vapour, UV and oxygen) of the films while reducing elongation at break (flexibility), swelling and solubility of the film in water. When the DAC ratio was elevated to 50%, the tensile strength was enhanced to 98 MPa. In comparison, flexibility diminished to 29%, the solubility of the film reduced to 10% and water vapour permeability was lower by two orders of magnitude than that of the control PVA film. The peroxide value of linoleic acid decreased from 21.2% ± 7.6 (packed with PVA film) to 9.9% ± 0.9 (packed with 50% DAC composite film) after 15 days. Furthermore, the composite films demonstrated effective absorption of UV radiation, with the order of effectiveness being UV‐C > UV‐B > UV‐A radiation. No significant difference in biodegradability was detected in the composite films with an increase in DAC ratio during indoor soil burial tests for 30 days. This study implies that the composite film could serve as an alternative sustainable packaging option, especially when transparency and high oxygen barrier properties are desired.

Influence of ZrO2 nanoparticles on the structural and photocatalytic properties of three-dimensional PVA/g-C3N4 polymer films

This study introduces a novel polymer nanocomposite film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carbon nitride (g-C3N4), and zirconia (ZrO2), created via solution casting for effective water remediation of organic dyes. The film shows significant potential for enhancing pollutant removal efficiency and offering a sustainable solution for water reuse. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, XRD, UV–vis, TGA, and FESEM-EDX indicated strong interfacial interactions among PVA, ZrO2, and g-C3N4. XPS and UV–vis spectroscopy revealed a reduction in the optical energy gap from 4.8 to 3.95 eV, enhancing photocatalytic activity. SEM confirmed uniform dispersion of ZrO2 and g-C3N4 within the PVA matrix. Kinetic studies of methylene blue (MB) degradation under solar irradiation at neutral pH showed rate constants (k) of 0.0032 min−1, 0.0094 min−1, 0.0383 min−1, and 0.0816 min−1 for PVA, PVA/(0.003)ZrO2/g-C3N4, PVA/(0.007)ZrO2/g-C3N4, and PVA/(0.01)ZrO2/g-C3N4, respectively. The corresponding half-life times (t1/2) were 216.6 min, 73.7 min, 18.1 min, and 8.5 min, with photodegradation efficiencies of 10 %, 75.2 %, 90 %, and 95 %. This recyclable nanocomposite polymer, PVA/ZrO2/g-C3N4, shows promise for effective decontamination of organic pollutants in water, presenting an innovative approach for advanced remediation and secure wastewater recycling.This work is crucial for society as it contributes to solving the global challenge of water pollution, ensuring access to clean and safe water.

High Strength UV-Resistant Composite Film of Fe3+-Coordination Lignin/PVA.

The literature on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films is extensive, however, these methods often necessitate intricate synthesis processes or the addition of plasticizers to modify the strength and water solubility of the PVA material. A high-strength UV radiation-resistant composite film by chelating Fe3+ with lignin and PVA, which exhibits excellent hydrolysis resistance is developed. This composite film is prepared simply by incorporating a small amount of dealkalized lignin (APPL) and ferric chloride (FeCl3) into PVA through a straightforward composite process. During the scanning test, it is noted that the film exhibits a high density of uniformly dispersed particles, endowing it with efficient ultraviolet absorption capabilities. The infrared and anti-dissolution tests reveal that the coordination of Fe3+ with lignin imparts an outstanding hydrolysis resistance to the film, obviating the need for any extender, curing agent, acid or base. The tensile fracture strength reaches an impressive 187.81Mpa in the tensile test. UV and indicator card tests unequivocally demonstrate that the film achieves a remarkable 100% anti-UV efficiency. This Fe3+ chelated lignin/PVA composite film, with its facile preparation, environmental sustainability, high strength, and outstanding anti-ultraviolet efficiency, can be deployed across diverse applications requiring robust protection against ultraviolet radiation.

Three-birds-with-one-stone: An eco-friendly and renewable humic acid-derived material application strategy for macrolide antibiotic detection and multifunctional composite film preparation

This research proposes a simple and novel strategy for the green detection of antibiotics along with the reduction of microplastic and humic acid (HA) hazards. The entire process is based on a single-step solvent-sieving method to separate HA into insoluble (IHA) and soluble (SHA) components, subsequently recombining and designing the application according to the original characteristics of selected fractions in accordance with the zero-waste principle. IHA was applied as a dispersive solid phase extraction (DSPE) sorbent without chemical modification for the enrichment of trace MACs in complex biological matrices. The recovery of MACs was 74.06–100.84 % in the range of 2.5–1000 μg∙kg−1. Furthermore, SHA could be combined with biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to prepare multifunctional composite films. SHA endows the PVA film with favorable mechanical properties, excellent UV shielding as well as oxidation resistance performance. Compared with pure PVA, the tensile strength, toughness, antioxidant and UV-protection properties were increased to 157.3 Mpa, 258.6 MJ·m−3, 78.6 % and 60 % respectively. This study achieved a green and economically valuable utilization of all components of waste HA, introduced a novel approach for monitoring and controlling harmful substances and reducing white pollution. This has significant implications for promoting sustainable development and recovering valuable resources.

Preparation and characterization of probiotic Bacillus velezensis 906 metabolites /potassium sorbate/ polyvinyl alcohol antimicrobial blend film

Films with excellent mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity have potential applications in food preservation. The antimicrobial film was prepared by blending probiotic Bacillus velezensis 906 metabolites (906), potassium sorbate (PS), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermal stability analysis. The mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial properties of the film were tested. The results of the physicochemical analysis indicated that, compared to the pure PVA film, the film's mechanical properties decreased, while its barrier properties and hydrophobicity increased with the addition of PS and 906, respectively. The results of the antimicrobial tests revealed that the blend film exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Psychrobacter maritimus, Oceanobacillus kimchii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Listeria monocytogenes. SEM demonstrated good fusion between the components of the PVA/PS/906 film, resulting in a dense and crack-free structure. FTIR suggested that PS and 906 enhance molecular interactions within the film matrix. XRD revealed that the film was crystallized, with 906 increasing the crystallinity of the bonds between the film components. Thermal analysis indicated the thermal stability of the films was enhanced. Consequently, the PVA/PS/906 blend film shows significant potential for application in the preservation of aquatic products.

Synergistic Coassembly of Folic Acid-Based Supramolecular Polymer with a Covalent Polymer Toward Fabricating Functional Antibacterial Biomaterials.

Supramolecular biomaterials can recapitulate the structural and functional facets of the native extracellular matrix and react to biochemical cues, leveraging the unique attributes of noncovalent interactions, including reversibility and tunability. However, the low mechanical properties of supramolecular biomaterials can restrict their utilization in specific applications. Combining the advantages of supramolecular polymers with covalent polymers can lead to the fabrication of tailor-made biomaterials with enhanced mechanical properties/degradability. Herein, we demonstrate a synergistic coassembled self-healing gel as a multifunctional supramolecular material. As the supramolecular polymer component, we chose folic acid (vitamin B9), an important biomolecule that forms a gel comprising one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular polymers. Integrating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into this supramolecular gel alters its ultrastructure and augments its mechanical properties. A drastic improvement of complex modulus (G*) (∼3674 times) was observed in the folic acid-PVA gel with 15% w/v PVA (33215 Pa) compared with the folic acid gel (9.04 Pa). The coassembled hydrogels possessed self-healing and injectable/thixotropic attributes and could be printed into specific three-dimensional (3D) shapes. Synergistically, the supramolecular polymers of folic acid also improve the toughness, durability, and ductility of the PVA films. A nanocomposite of the gels with silver nanoparticles exhibited excellent catalytic efficiency and antibacterial activity. The folic acid-PVA coassembled gels and films also possessed high cytocompatibility, substantiated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and live-dead assays. Taken together, the antibacterial and cell-adhesive attributes suggest potential applications of these coassembled biomaterials for tissue engineering and wound healing.

Bioactive enhancement of PVA films through CNC reinforcement and Ficus auriculata fruit extract: A novel synthesis for sustainable applications

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have received immense interest lately as a potential nanomaterial because of their excellent mechanical and biological properties. This investigation aims to formulate a composite coating made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), CNCs, and a methanolic extract from the dried leaves and fruit of the fig tree (Ficus auriculata) (FAE). A sequential procedure to get CNCs included alkaline and acid hydrolysis, sonication, and suitable methods for purification. Analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study the CNC-loaded films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of composites revealed superior thermal stability of the CNC-reinforced films versus control, evident from higher degradation temperatures, indicating desirable environmental resistance of proposed coatings for wood surfaces. The termite control was made more effective through synergistic use of a combination of CNCs, PVA, and FAE with proven insecticidal properties. The composite material was examined for its anti-termite resistance and termite mortality rate, and demonstrated that when used together, CNCs, PVA, and FAE were collectively and synergistically more effective at keeping termites away. The findings of this study demonstrate that the evolved composite could be used to develop anti-termite products that are environmentally benign and respond well. Synthesized composites also demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. Among all films, a combination of 0.7 % extract in PVA displayed excellent results with 26 and 28 mm diameter for growth inhibition zone for Gram-positive bacteria whereas 26 mm for both negative bacterial strains. The findings suggest a potential use of this composite as a sustainable, environmentally resistant, and eco-friendly alternative for termite/bacterial control in various building materials and wood preservation applications.

Investigation of structural and optical features of polyvinyl alcohol films doped with Nd2O3 nanoparticles for UV shielding

Investigation of structural and optical features of polyvinyl alcohol films doped with Nd2O3 nanoparticles for UV shielding

Enhancing polyvinyl alcohol surface properties through pre-drying treatment and modified electrospun polycaprolactone nanofibers

The application of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a biodegradable polymer is restricted by its low water resistance, particularly for the packaging of moisture-sensitive products. In this paper, we report on a surface-modification approach for PVA films using electrospinning of beeswax-modified polycaprolactone (PCL) following a 10 min pre-drying process. The pre-drying process led to physical binding between the hydrophobic PCL/beeswax nanofibers and the hydrophilic PVA substrate while the addition of beeswax to PCL improved its physical properties, leading to larger surface roughness and lower wettability of the PVA film. In particular, by adding a proper amount of beeswax to PCL, a PVA/PCL/beeswax composite film showed high hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 144.1°, demonstrating a significant improvement in the surface properties compared to the hydrophilic bare PVA film. Moreover, the oxygen permeability of the PVA film decreased from 5.5 to 2.2 cc.m−2.day−1 after electrospinning the PCL/beeswax, which was related to the rougher surface morphology generated by the electrospun nanofibers. Therefore, our cost-effective approach has the potential to modify the physical properties of hydrophilic polymers and to broaden their industrial applications.

Enhanced thermal conductivity of reduced graphene oxide reinforced polymer films through a novel GO reduction mechanism

AbstractGraphene's remarkable thermal conductance characteristics makes it a very promising thermal interface material for polymeric composites. In this study, we propose an innovative approach aimed at augmenting the thermal conductivity of flexible composite films, employing reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the constituent materials. The fabrication process involves the utilization of solution casting coupled with a low‐temperature chemical reduction method for graphene oxide (GO). Given that the high thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites typically correlates with increased crystallinity and reduced defects, our primary objective is to investigate the impact of reduction of GO in order to associate enhance crystallinity within the graphene oxide‐polymer system, with the overall increased thermal conductivity of the resulting GO/PVA films. The diethylene glycol‐GO/PVA films thus, generated through this methodology exhibit an exceptional thermal conductivity of approximately 5.1 W/mK, achieved with a mere 10 wt.% filler loading. This surpasses the thermal conductivity observed in films comprised solely of GO/PVA. The notable enhancement in thermal conductivity can be attributed to several factors, including improved crystallinity and reduced defects of GO with effective polymeric bridging facilitated by the rGO with PVA. Collectively, these advancements contribute to the overall thermal performance of the material, presenting a promising methodology for future developments in the field of thermal conductivity materials.Highlights Reduction of GO through a streamlined and facile methodology. Orchestrated a controlled reduction process at lower temperatures and simultaneously enhancing the crystallinity and decreasing the defects of GO. Fabricated reduced GO/PVA polymer films exhibited an exceptional thermal conductivity of approximately 5.1 W/mK with just a 10 wt.% filler loading.

Red and green fluorescent carbon dots for highly effective ultraviolet radiation screening and sensing

Carbon dots (CDs) have attracted intense attention because of their excellent optical properties, low toxicity, and biocompatibility. CDs have a great potential to be used as fluorescent sensors and ultraviolet (UV)-blocking materials. In this research, CDs were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using mangosteen leaves as a precursor. A CD aqueous solution exhibited bright green (G-CDs) and red (R-CDs) fluorescence with naked-eye observation under UV irradiation. The maximum fluorescence emission peak intensities of G-CDs and R-CDs were observed at 312 nm and 671 nm under excitation wavelengths of 275 nm and 410 nm, respectively. The absorbance spectra of CDs are shown in the UV range of 200–400 nm. The transmission spectra indicate that the G-CD solution screens UVB and UVC, while R-CDs are an excellent block for all UVA, UVB, and UVC. The average UV-shielding efficiencies of R-CDs and G-CDs are 97.4 %, and 56.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the R-CDs have a tendency to screen high-energy blue light. FTIR results display functional groups of organic substance on CD surfaces showing that the CDs have good biocompatibility with organics and biological materials. Moreover, nanocomposite films of CDs and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer (CDs/PVA) were prepared using a drop-casting method. In the polymerized state, R-CDs/PVA and G-CDs/PVA exhibit significant improvements in average UV ray blockage of 100.0%, and 83.8% enhancement, respectively. It is noteworthy that PVA combined with R-CDs achieves complete UV ray blocking. Furthermore, the emissions from both CD solution and CDs/PVA under UV radiation cover the regions of red, green, and blue emission. Hence, this work demonstrates the performance of R-CDs- and G-CDs-based platforms that show a high potential for UV-shielding and sensing applications.

Reusing uncured Fiber-reinforced thermoset composite Prepreg waste with water-soluble PVA backing film

One challenge in reusing uncured composite prepreg waste is the removal of the backing film. Ensuring that no backing film remains during the reuse of composite prepreg material is crucial, as the presence of backing film in the laminate can contaminate the part, leading to defects such as delamination. Manual removal of the backing film from the leftover uncured composite prepreg is a labor-intensive task, and ensuring there is no remaining backing film in the prepreg waste can be challenging. To address these issues, the authors implemented a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film as the backing material for the prepreg, allowing less labor-intensive removal of the PVA backing film by soaking the prepreg in water before reusing. In this study, 20 μm thick 100% PVA film was utilized as backing material for carbon fiber-reinforced thermoset composite prepreg. The performance of the PVA film as a prepreg backing material was assessed, and the process of removing the backing film was demonstrated. To investigate the impact of the backing film removal process on the mechanical properties of the reused prepreg, tensile and double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were conducted. The results indicated that the PVA backing removal and drying processes did not show any significant influence on the tensile properties and interlaminar strength of the reused composite prepreg. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the recycling of the PVA solution used in the backing removal process to produce new PVA film. The application of PVA as a backing film not only simplified the backing film removal for reused prepreg but also established a sustainable closed-loop recycling system for prepreg backing film.

Nonlinear optical absorption of TiTe2 nanosheets and its application for pulse laser generation.

Two-dimensional TiTe2 materials have excellent optical and electrical properties due to their unique semi-metallic properties and are widely used in detectors, photocatalysis, and field effect tubes. However, their potential in field of nonlinear optics (NLO) and ultrafast photonics has not been explored. In this paper, TiTe2 nanosheets are prepared by liquid-phase exfoliation, and their excellent nonlinear optical properties are being demonstrated. Z-scan measurements show that their nonlinear absorption coefficients are -6.83 ± 0.52 and -15.10 ± 0.82 cm GW-1 at 1560 and 2000nm, respectively, exhibiting saturable absorption properties. Two saturable absorbers (SA) based on TiTe2 nanosheets are prepared, one by encapsulating TiTe2 nanosheets in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film and the other by depositing them on D-shape fiber (DSF). Finally, a Q-switched operation is achieved using TiTe2-PVA SA, with the maximum output power of 14.2 mW, corresponding to a pulse energy of up to 212.9 nJ. Stable mode-locked operation is achieved using TiTe2-DSF SA with a signal-to-noise ratio and pulse duration of 70 dB and 788 fs, respectively. Notably, this is the first time that TiTe2 nanosheets have been used as SA. The results suggest that TiTe2 nanosheets are a high-performance nonlinear material that provides a new impetus for the development of NLO and ultrafast photonics.

Simultaneous measurement of temperature and humidity using a dual-parameter sensor based on SPR and no-core fiber technology

In this article, we present a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a no-core fiber (NCF) structure for simultaneous measurement of temperature and humidity. The sensor is simulated by depositing a silver film on the exterior of the NCF by magnetron sputtering, followed by the application of a composite thin film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This configuration induces SPR resonance phenomena at two distinct wavelengths, resulting in the splitting of the resonance peak into two distinct peaks, enabling simultaneous measurement of temperature and humidity. To achieve optimal sensor performance, the thickness of the PDMS-PVA composite film, the proportion of sensitive materials, the thickness of the silver film, and the structural parameters of the fiber were optimized. Simulation results show that the sensor exhibits a humidity sensitivity of 8.60 nm/%RH over a relative humidity (RH) range of 50%–100%. The highest temperature detection sensitivity achieved is 7.40 nm °C−1. This sensor holds great potential for applications in monitoring changes in environmental temperature and humidity.

Characteristics of corn starch/polyvinyl alcohol composite film with improved flexibility and UV shielding ability by novel approach combining chemical cross-linking and physical blending

With the aim of effectively improving the performance of bio-friendly food packaging and circumventing the hazards associated with petroleum-based plastic food packaging, composite films of corn starch and polyvinyl alcohol were prepared using a new method that involved chemical cross-linking of glutaraldehyde and blending with cinnamon essential oil nanoemulsion (CNE). Glutaraldehyde and CNE enhance the film's network structure by chemical bonding and hydrogen bonding, respectively. This results in improved surface smoothness, mechanical properties, and UV shielding ability of the film. However, the films' surface hydrophilicity increased as a result of CNE, which is harmful for food preservation in high humidity. Overall, glutaraldehyde and CNE have a synergistic effect on some of the properties of the film which is mainly attributed to the films' structure improvement. The films have great potential for preparing flexible and UV-shielding films and offer new ideas for developing biodegradable films.

The electrical transport property and gas detection behaviour of polyvinyl alcohol and γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite film

This paper presents the electrical and gas detection behaviour of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite films. The physical characterization includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and UV–Visible spectroscopy. The analysis of both the dc resistivity and ac conductivity using Correlated Barrier Hoping (CBH) conduction process shows that the conductivity enhances with the decreasing of activation energy in case of the PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite film which is the indication of interfacial defect states. The current voltage study at various temperatures follows the thermoionic emission model of Schottky Barrier diode. Moreover, the dielectric constant enhances for PVA/γ-Fe2O3 nanocomposite film, which indicates homogeneous distribution of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles within PVA matrix and the aggregation of trapped charges found in interface develops an interfacial polarization. As a result, the gas adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite film increases which improves the signal-to-noise ratio, leading to higher gas detection sensitivity.

Pea-like inspired design: Lignin nanospheres-mediated PVA film with high strength, low water evaporation permeability, strong UV resistance and anti-oxidation properties for extending food freshness

The excessive utilization of petroleum-based plastic products has inflicted significant harm upon the ecological and health problems, compelling individuals to continually seek renewable and biodegradable polymer materials as alternatives. Drawing inspiration from the structure of a natural pea pod, a unique interlocking packaging material based on a pea-like structure is obtained via green electrospinning and mild glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking method. Herein, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) serves as a green protective layer encompassing the active lignin nanospheres (LNP) pod, forming a packaging film that prevents LNP migration. The LNP within the fibers can effectively shorten the fiber spacing, and when exposed to the GA vapor, they promote the bonding between neighboring fibers to form a tight interlock structure. Benefiting from the interlocking pea-like structure, the film exhibits excellent tensile strength (3.53 ± 0.02 MPa), wetting strength (1.92 ± 0.05 MPa), and outstanding water vapor barrier properties (3.27 ± 0.3 10−10 gm−1 s−1 Pa−1). Furthermore, the inclusion of LNP endows exceptional water resistance, UV-blocking capabilities, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which can effectively prolong the storage life of perishable fruits. This eco-logical sustainable design holds tremendous potential in mitigating the burden on the environment, thus making a novel avenue for exploring alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics.

Physicochemical evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol films crosslinked with saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids: A comparative study

AbstractIn this study, crosslinked films of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared using two dicarboxylic acids: saturated succinic acid (SA) and unsaturated maleic acid (MAL) as crosslinkers. The crosslinking capabilities of these acids were compared through physical, chemical, mechanical, morphological, thermal analysis, and swelling measurements to investigate their impact on the physicochemical properties of the resulting films. Attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the occurrence of an esterification reaction between PVA and the dicarboxylic acids. Based on the degree of crosslinking and thermal properties, it was noted that the crosslinking achieved with maleic acid is more effective for PVA compared with succinic acid. The crosslinking degree of PVA‐MAL was determined to be 6.47 times higher than that of the PVA‐SA film. In terms of thermal stability, the decomposition temperature for crosslinked PVA‐MAL was measured at 365.57°C, whereas PVA‐SA exhibited a slightly lower decomposition temperature of 362.58°C. The findings indicate that the PVA‐MAL film displays lower crystallinity and a higher contact angle (80.60°) in contrast to PVA‐SA (76.0°) and PVA (30.4°). Atomic force microscopy analysis indicated that the PVA‐SA film exhibited more surface roughness compared with the smoother PVA‐MAL film. Also, crosslinked films displayed enhanced elasticity and resilience in comparison with neat PVA, which may be due to the difference in crosslinking density, disruption in intermolecular hydrogen bonding due to crosslinking, and incorporation of flexible crosslinkers.Highlights PVA was crosslinked using SA and MAL. Unsaturated MAL exhibited superior crosslinking density over saturated SA. PVA‐SA film exhibited a porous surface compared to PVA‐MAL film. PVA crosslinked with unsaturated MAL showed higher thermal stability than SA. Both the films showed enhanced elasticity and resilience compared with neat PVA.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films: insights from crosslinking and plasticizer incorporation

The properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are intricately influenced by factors such as polymer structure, fabrication method, the addition of plasticizers and the molecular weight of monomers. This research, investigates the implication of PVA films using a solution casting method for crosslinking with boric acid (H3BO4), glycerol (C3H8O3) and citric acid (C6H8O7). This approach is compared with pure PVA films, establishing a valuable benchmark. For the experiments, tensile strength tests, physicochemical property measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to gain insights into the microstructure, surface characteristics and mineral composition of the films. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between PVA, plasticizers and crosslinking agents, providing valuable insights for applications across diverse industries, including, construction and biomedical fields. The overarching objective of this research is to revolutionize the construction industry by developing polymer films that serve as the foundation for self-healing materials, fostering durability and innovation. The experiments revealed a significant influence of crosslinking agents on the properties of PVA films as measured.