Tailoring of poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels properties by salts addition

The present paper aims to study the possibility to modify the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels prepared in the presence of different salt types (Na2SO4, NaCl and NaNO3) in order to extend the nature of the salts already used in obtaining films or gels, to expand their concentration domains and to explain the increase of film strain, concomitantly with the increase of their crystallinity. The morphology of the PVA based hydrogels has been studied by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), the interaction between the PVA macromolecular chains and salts has been determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), while the mechanical properties of the cryogels have been investigated by oscillatory dynamic mechanical measurements. The gels swelling in water have been monitored by gravimetric method in order to evidence the alteration of the PVA cryogel properties such as crystallinity and porosity determined by the salt addition to the initial PVA aqueous solution. The data reported show that the ions present in the PVA solution influence the interaction between PVA-water and PVA-PVA chains; their influence on the salt-based PVA hydrogels follow the Hofmeister lyotropic series.