Sticky poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Abstract

Abstract Low‐temperature gelation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution was performed in the presence of CaCl 2 . The resulting PVA hydrogels showed high stickiness and excellent water‐holding ability. These properties became more remarkable with increasing CaCl 2 concentration in solvent. Furthermore, both the peel strength on stainless steel and the degree of swelling of the PVA hydrogel drastically increased as CaCl 2 concentration was increased from 20 to 30 wt %. It is concluded that the sticky and water‐holding properties of PVA hydrogels are intimately related to the state of hydration of Ca ions in aqueous environment. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.