Study of cryostructuration of polymer systems. XI. The formation of PVA cryogels by freezing–thawing the polymer aqueous solutions containing additives of some polyols

Abstract

Abstract The influence of the presence of some polyols in initial poly(vinyl alcohol) aqueous solutions on rheological and thermal properties of the cryogels, which were produced by the freezing–thawing method, was investigated. The polyol additives (cosolvents) were as follows: glycerol, propylene glycol, mono‐, di‐, and triethylene glycols, and oligoethylene glycols (PEG‐400 and PEG‐1000). It was shown that the introduction of glycerol, propylene, or ethylene glycols into the polymer solution resulted in a decrease of cryogel's shear modulus and fusion temperature, whereas the use of triethylene and higher ethylene glycol oligomers as cosolvents gave rise to an increase in the gel's strength and thermostability, and diethylene glycol exhibited a transitional influence. The possible mechanism of the action of reinforcing cosolvents is discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.