Swelling and Reswelling Characteristics of Cross-Linked Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Chitosan Hydrogel Film

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), hydrogel was prepared by using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The blend semi-synthetic hydrogel film, consisting of PVA and chitosan, was prepared from a solvent-casting technique and characterized for their intermolecular interactions using infrared method. The swelling and reswelling behaviors, as well as mechanical properties of the synthetic and semi-synthetic gels were examined by weighing and tensile testing, respectively. Cross-linking the two types of polymer with glutaraldehyde produces a film with lower crystallinity and smaller swelling and reswelling degrees, but having improved mechanical properties. Also, the two types of films show a pH-dependent swelling characteristic. It was found that, the reswelling properties of synthetic hydrogels can be improved by blending PVA with certain ratio of natural polymer. This blending film, can be improve sandy soil properties for cultivation, such as, controlled release of water.