Preparation and Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) Hydrogel

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) hydrogel has been fabricated using freezing-thawing method. The tensile strengthen and swelling properties were tested. The results show that hydrogels mechanical properties are better, reach to about 0.7 MPa, 15% PVA/10% PVP hydrogel is the best, up to 0.82MPa; swelling properties are better, The loss water rate and swelling percentage of hydro gel have similar change trend in the room temperature; When the swelling equilibrium, 10% PVA hydrogel loss water rate is very rapid, the swelling percentage of 15% PVA hydrogel is relatively rapid; The rate of loss water of all hydrogels are more than 70 percent, 10% PVA/3% PVP hydrogel loss water is the fastest, the loss rate is up to 90%; swelling percentage of all hydrogels are over 400%, 15%PVA/8% PVP hydrogel is the highest, close to 600%.