Poly(vinyl alcohol): Physical Approaches to Designing Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications. (20th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nkhwa, Shathani; Lauriaga, Kristo Fernando; Kemal, Evren; Deb, Sanjukta
• Other Names: Gough J. Academic Editor.; Sammons R. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Conference papers in science. Volume 2014(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-03-20
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science; Periodicals; 600
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/403472
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2356-6108

Abstract

Abstract : Poly(vinyl alcohol) is a non-toxic, biosynthetic polymer and biocompatible polymer that has the ability to form hydrogels either via chemical or physical crosslinking. Whilst chemical crosslinking provides greater control on the properties of the resultant hydrogel, physically crosslinked hydrogels or blends with other biocompatible polymers are more suited for biomedical applications. In this paper we report a systematic study on the effect of varying concentrations of PVA, physical methods of crosslinking, and PVA-gelatin and PVA-PVP blends on the physical and mechanical properties of the hydrogels.