Improving physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels via the Hofmeister effect

Hydrogel is a kind of three-dimensional crosslinked polymer material with high moisture content.However,due to the network defects of polymer gels,traditional hydrogels are usually brittle and fragile,which limits their practical applications.Herein,we present a Hofmeister effect-aided facile strategy to prepare high-performance poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels.Layered montmorillonite nanosheets can not only serve as crosslinking agents to enhance the mechanical properties of the hydrogel but also promote the ion conduction.More importantly,based on the Hofmeister effect,the presence of(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4)can endow nanocomposite hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties by affecting PVA chains'aggregation state and crystallinity.As a result,the as-prepared nanocomposite hydrogels possess unique physical properties,including robust mechanical and electrical properties.The as-prepared hydrogels can be further assembled into a high-performance flexible sensor,which can sensitively detect large-scale and small-scale human activities.The simple design concept of this work is believed to provide a new prospect for developing robust nanocomposite hydrogels and flexible devices in the future.

Controlled delivery of ibuprofen from poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly(ethylene glycol) interpenetrating polymeric network hydrogels

Hydrogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) and poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG) were synthesized using glutaraldehyde as crosslinker and investigated for controlled delivery of the common anti-inflammatory drug, ibuprofen(IBF). To regulate the drug delivery, solid inclusion complexes(ICs) of IBF in β–cyclodextrin(β–CD) were prepared and added to the hydrogels. The ICs were prepared by the microwave irradiation method, which is more environmentally benign. The formation of IC was confirmed by various analytical techniques and the synthesized hydrogels were also characterized. Controlled release of drug was achieved from the hydrogels containing the ICs in comparison to the rapid release from hydrogels containing free IBF.The preliminary kinetic analysis emphasized the crucial role of β–CD in the drug release process that influences the polymer relaxation, thereby leading to prolonged release. The cytotoxicity assay validated the hydrogels as non-toxic in nature and hence can be utilized for controlled delivery of IBF.

Research on the Long Time Swelling Properties of Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxylapatite Composite Hydrogel

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxylapatite(PVA/HA)composite hydrogel was prepared by repeated freezing and thawing.Thewater loss properties of the resultant hydrogel were investigated by using optical microscope.Long time immersion tests ofPVA/HA composite hydrogel were carried out in the diluted calf serum solution to study the change laws of swelling propertieswith the freezing-thawing cycles and HA content.The micro-morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel after long timeimmersion were observed by means of the high-accuracy 3D profiler.The results show that the swelling process of PVA/HAcomposite hydrogel is the converse process of its water loss.Long time swelling ratio curves of PVA/HA composite hydrogel inthe calf serum solution are manifested as four stages of quick increase,decrease,slow decrease and stable balance,and itsequilibrium swelling ratio decreases with the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and HA content.It is revealed that the networkstructure of the composite hydrogel immersed for a long period is significantly improved with the increase of HA content.Perfect network structures of PVA/HA composite hydrogel as well as full and equilibrium tissues after swelling equilibrium areobtained when the HA content is 3% and the number of freezing-thawing cycles is 7.

Preparation and Swelling Behavior of Physically Crosslinked Hydrogels Composed of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Chitosan

The physically crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (CS) composite hydrogels were prepared by cyclic freezing/thawing techniques,and the microstructure and swelling behavior of the hydrogels in the simulated gastric (pH 1.0) and intestinal (pH 7.4) media were investigated.The experimental results of infrared spectra (IR),scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that poly(vinyl alcohol) and chitosan had good miscibility in the composite hydrogels,and the addition of chitosan perturbed the formation of poly(vinyl alco-hol) crystallites.The swelling kinetics results indicated that the composite hydrogels had good pH sensitive properties to the acidic environments,and with the increase of chitosan content in the blend,the maximum swelling degreed and the swelling rate both increased,but it led to more dissolution at pH 1.0.And the composite hydrogels also exhibited good reversible swelling behavior with pH value of the swelling medium altering between 1.0 and 7.4.In addition,the higher freezing/thawing cycle times resulted in the lower swelling rate.Therefore,the swelling behavior of the composite hydrogels could be adjusted by changing the chitosan contents and the freezing/thawing cycle times.

Chemical and physical properties of poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel films formed by irradiation

Chemical and physical properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel films were investigated as a function of production factors. The experimental results show that the gel fraction depends strongly on the radiation dose, the degree of swelling is inversely dependent on the concentration of PVA solution, the tensile strength depends mainly on the PVA blending ratio and the elongation at break is inversely dependent on the radiation dose.

Synthesis and properties of physically crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

The present study is an investigation of the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol),which would be a better contact lens mate- rial than conventional HEMA in some ways.A transparent PVA hydrogel was prepared from a PVA solution in a mixed solvent consisting of water and a water-miscible organic solvent,DMSO,by the freezing-thawing method.The water content,visible light transmittance,mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogels were evaluated as a function of PVA concentration and number of freeze-thaw cycles.The results show that the properties of PVA hydrogels depend on the polymer concentration,the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the addition of the organic solvent.

Facile preparation of methylcellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol)physical complex hydrogels with tunable thermosensitivity

有宽光谱的 thermoresponsivity 的甲基纤维素(MC ) 并且 poly 的新奇复杂水疗院胶化(乙烯基白酒)(PVA ) 经由物理、温和的过程被准备。MC/PVA 水疗院胶化的热阶段转变包括大音阶的第五音 / 大音阶的第五音展出了二种形式到胶化 / 大音阶的第五音和大音阶的第五音 / 胶化到胶化 / 胶化。MC/PVA 答案的阶段转变温度从 38.7 ～ 60.6 &#xb0 ； C 并且能被简单地改变二个部件的喂的比率调整。MC/PVA 胶化的内部形态学与荧光分析被检验，扫描电子显微镜学分析，它显示出那 MC 是在矩阵驱散在前后的井热地 gelling。

Study of Pneumococcal Surface Protein, PspA, Incorporated in Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Membranes

This study investigates poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes as controlled release micro-matrices, which can be useful in therapeutic applications for optimizing the administration of drugs. Currently, the use of hydrogels is limited by protein size. This study investigates the delivery of PspA, a large protein of approximately 38 kD. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been shown to provide protective immunity against pneumococcal infection and is considered as a pneumococcal vaccine. The protein release experiments demonstrated that from an initial pH 7.4, approximately 60% of PspA diffuse into a neutral environment with an initial burst and a declining rate reaching equilibrium. The results indicate that the protein was successfully incorporated and released from the membrane over time. The hydrogel and protein interaction is temporary, and the membrane system is ideal for protein drug delivery. The data confirm that the protein did not aggregate and was active after release. The protein release is promising and a step forward to develop microneedles to facilitate high molecular weight protein delivery as well as vaccine delivery.

Physicochemical Properties of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan/Soluble Starch Composite Hydrogel

Fabricating of hydrogels based upon polymers and inorganic matter is an innovative replacement for the generation of adaptable matrices.In this study,the poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)/chitosan(CS)/soluble starch(SS)composite hydrogel was prepared by the solution blending method,in which SS was used as a cross-linking agent to cross-link with PVA in order to improve the stability of PVA in the tissue fluid.The composition and the thermal stability of hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis(TGA).The result shows that the PVA/CS/SS composite hydrogel possesses potentially morphological and thermal stability and can be used for tissue engineering.

Thermal aging behavior of high performance poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

The thermal aging behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel was studied at four different temperatures of 40 ℃, 50 ℃, 60 ℃ and 70 ℃ in one year. The samples of PVA hydrogel were closely covered by plastic film. The changes of their chemical structures and physical properties during aging were measured through different measurable techniques including tensile testing, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), viscosity analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. The results showed that the molecular weight of PVA in hydrogel changed little with time and temperature. FTIR spectra of PVA in all the samples were similar to those of the original samples. The tensile strength of PVA hydrogel didn't change until the 330th days.

Polyurethane/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel coating improves the cytocompatibility of neural electrodes

Neural electrodes,the core component of neural prostheses,are usually encapsulated in polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS).However,PDMS can generate a tissue response after implantation.Based on the physicochemical properties and excellent biocompatibility of polyurethane(PU)and poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)when used as coating materials,we synthesized PU/PVA hydrogel coatings and coated the surface of PDMS using plasma treatment,and the cytocompatibility to rat pheochromocytoma(PC12)cells was assessed.Protein adsorption tests indicated that the amount of protein adsorption onto the PDMS substrate was reduced by 92%after coating with the hydrogel.Moreover,the PC12 cells on the PU/PVA-coated PDMS showed higher cell density and longer and more numerous neurites than those on the uncoated PDMS.These results indicate that the PU/PVA hydrogel is cytocompatible and a promising coating material for neural electrodes to improve their biocompatibility.

Research on the friction and wear mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxylapatite composite hydrogel

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxylapatite(PVA/HA) composite hydrogel was prepared with poly(vinyl alcohol) and hydroxylapatite as raw materials, using the method of repeated freezing and thawing.The morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed by means of high-accuracy 3D profiler and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The compressive elastic modulus and the stress relaxation characteristics of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were measured using the flat-head cylinder indenter.The friction and wear tests between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage were performed on the micro-tribometer.The worn morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed with environmental scanning electron microscope(ESEM).The results showed that PVA/HA composite hydrogel has the cross-link network microstructure which is similar to that of the natural bovine knee articular cartilages.With the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content, the degree of cross-link and the crystallization of PVA/HA composite hydrogel both increase, the elastic modulus increases evidently, the rate of stress relaxation is improved and the value of balance stress decreases.The friction coefficient decreases with the increase of the freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content.The more the freezing-thawing cycles are, the earlier the friction coefficient reaches the stable balance value.The friction deformation depth between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage is inversely proportional to freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content.The main wear mechanisms of PVA/HA composite hydrogel are plastic flowing and adhesive flaking.The wear severity degree decreases with the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content.

Cells Attachment Property of PVA Hydrogel Nanofibers Incorporating Hyaluronic Acid for Tissue Engineering

In this work, we report the fabrication and cell affinity studies of the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) cross-linked nanofibers via electrospinning and post cross-linking. FT-IR and TGA analysis demonstrate that HA is not influenced by acid environment such as HCl vapor during cross-linking, and well incorporated into PVA nanofibers. Swelling behavior and cell adhesion of the PVA/HA hydrogel nanofibers are investigated and compared with pure PVA hydrogel nanofibers. It is expected that the nanofibrous PVA/HA hydrogel fibers could be a promising scaffold for cell culture and tissue engineering applications.

Dye removal by eco-friendly physically cross-linked double network polymer hydrogel beads and their functionalized composites

Hydrogels have attracted large attention in wastewater treatment fields due to their low-cost and good interaction with pollutants,among which novel double network hydrogel is an outstanding class.To expand the application of double network hydrogel in water treatment,in this study,eco-friendly physically cross-linked double network polymer hydrogel beads(DAP)are prepared and studied in depth on the mechanism of Methylene Blue(MB)adsorption;and then the polymer hydrogels are further functionalized by inorganic materials.MB adsorption on DAP favors alkaline condition which is due to the increase of electrostatic attraction and adsorption site,and it reaches equilibrium within 10 hr,which is faster than that of the single network hydrogel beads(SAP).Through thermodynamics study,the process shows to be an exothermic and spontaneous process.The adsorption isotherms are well fitted by Langmuir model,with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 1437.48 mg/g,which is larger than SAP(1255.75 mg/g).After being functionalized with common inorganic materials including activated carbon,Fe_3O_4and graphene oxide(GO),the composites show to have larger pore sizes and have obvious increases in adsorption capacity especially the one contains GO.Then the composites contains Fe_3O_4are used as heterogeneous Fenton catalyst which shows to have excellent performance in MB degradation.The results indicate the potential of polymer double network to be functionalized in environmental areas.

Responsive Hybrid Poly(vinyl alcohol)Hydrogel Membranes with Embedded Microgels as Valves

The research and application of responsive materials have long been hampered by their complicated designs and tedious construction processes.Besides,many current responsive materials show retard or weak responsiveness.In this study,responsive hybrid poly(vinyl alcohol)hydrogel membranes with embedded poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid)microgels as valves were constructed by simple mixing and subsequent freezing-thawing process.In the structure of the membranes,the matrix poly(vinyl alcohol)chains thread through and entangle with the microgels,and the microgels are firmly constrained within the hybrid hydrogel network.The fast and sharp temperature responsiveness of the embedded microgels was largely retained and endowed the hydrogel membrane with excellent temperature and pH responsiveness.Moreover,the hydrogel membrane showed excellent fatigue resistance in both temperature and pH-responsive flux examination.This study presented the great potential of these hybrid hydrogel membranes in biomedical applications and provided a new strategy for the future design and construction of responsive biomaterials.

溶胶-凝胶法原位复合PVA/HA水凝胶的结构表征与性能研究

采用溶胶-凝胶原位复合的方法制备了聚乙烯醇/羟基磷灰石生物活性复合水凝胶,探讨了HA含量对复合水凝胶结构性能的影响,用X射线衍射分析、红外光谱分析、DSC、扫描电镜等方法对HA在PVA水凝胶体系中的晶态结构及分散状态进行了表征,并与物理共混复合法进行了比较.研究发现,采用溶胶-凝胶法原位复合可在PVA水凝胶中形成具有生物活性的HA结晶结构,且分散良好,分布均匀.HA粉体作为异相成核剂,促进了PVA水凝胶基体的结晶,提高了复合水凝胶的力学性能.

新型人工髓核材料--果胶／聚乙烯醇复合水凝胶的制备及其溶胀性能

利用低频振荡、冻融法制得果胶／聚乙烯醇复合（CoPP）水凝胶，采用红外光谱仪、差示扫描量热仪、X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜，表征其结构；观察CoPP水凝胶的溶胀性能，并探讨扩散模式及溶胀动力学。结果表明：CoPP水凝胶是一种多孔材料、有两个结晶区，脱水后可再次水合、溶胀；水分子以菲克扩散模式渗入CoPP水凝胶，CoPP水凝胶的溶胀速率常数、溶胀平衡时的质量溶胀率（197．38％～252．49％）、体积溶胀率（241．47％～308．93％），均大于聚乙烯醇（PVA）水凝胶。因此，CoPP水凝胶具有溶胀快和溶胀率大等特点，可减小人工髓核假体植入时的尺寸，利于微创手术植入。

聚乙烯醇水凝胶溶胀特性研究

在前文对聚乙烯醇水溶液冰冻凝胶化浓度依赖性研究基础上，对接触浓度（Ｃ）以上聚乙烯醇水溶液通过冰冻－融化处理，制得了一种含水率高达９５～９８％的水凝胶．系统研究了该水凝胶在蒸馏水中的溶胀及溶解特性．得到了一个与实验结果相吻合的溶胀动力学方程：Ｑ１＝Ｑｅ－（Ｑｅ－ＱＯ）／ｅｋｔ，及平衡溶胀比Ｑｅ与浓度之间的定量关系：Ｑｅ＝６０．３－４．４５×１０２Ｃ．发现当冰冻－融化次数Ｎ≤５时，平衡溶胀比Ｑｅ及溶解量Ｗ与冰冻－融化次数（Ｎ）间满足幂函数关系：Ｑｅ。Ｗ通过对聚乙烯醇水凝胶平衡溶胀比与经冰冻处理的聚乙烯醇水溶液特性粘数进行比较，发现反映链间氢键凝聚缠结效应与反映链内氢键凝聚缠结效应的定量指标具有等效性．

聚乙烯醇水凝胶及其复合物的研究与在人工软骨替代材料上的应用

聚乙烯醇水凝胶是一种具有良好生物相容性和力学性能的高弹性材料。本文介绍了聚乙烯醇水凝胶的成型方法 ,复合改性技术的研究进展 ,着重对聚乙烯醇水凝胶作为替代材料在关节软骨损伤修复中的研究现状和存在问题进行了综述 。