Authors: A M ALSabagh Z Abdeen
Publish Date: 2010/05/14
Volume: 18, Issue: 4, Pages: 576-583
Abstract
Polyvinyl alcohol PVA hydrogels were chemically crosslinked with/without different crosslinkers such as glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin in the presence of a catalyst or activator potassium hydroxide to produce three types of hydrogels The structures of PVA and the prepared gel types were determined by FTIR spectroscopy the mechanical and thermal properties of these hydrogels were examined The effects of different pH values and temperatures on the swelling properties of the prepared gels were examined From the obtained results it was found that the low concentration of the crosslinker produced hydrogel with moderate properties but in absence of the crosslinker the obtained hydrogel exhibited good properties and can be used as friendly environmentally moisture absorbents from the organic solvents The insolubility and swelling properties of gels were tested in these solvents The results indicated that these hydrogels can be used as moisture absorbents and solvent dryers
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