Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks widely used in biomedical applications as drug delivery and tissue engineered scaffolds to effectively repair or replace damaged tissue. In this paper we demonstrate a newly synthesized cytocompatible and drug releasing photo-crosslinked hydrogel based on poly(vinyl alcohol) methacrylate and silk fibroin which possesses tailorable structural and ...

QIAN ZHAO: CO2-mediated formation of polymer/clay nanocomposites (Under the direction of Edward T. Samulski) In this thesis, the feasibility of scCO2 as both a processing medium and a polymerization medium for preparation of polymer/clay nanocomposites has been explored, with the first part discussing a CO2-mediated intercalation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in clay. It has been shown that CO2...

In this communication, we prepared carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified by poly(vinyl alcohol) that are used as co-stabilizers for the dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate. Poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres with CNTs selectively located at their surface are formed. This specific localization is a way to enhance the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite.

New poly(vinyl alcohol)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA-g-PEG) resins with various PEG chain lengths, which have high loadings and good swelling both in water and organic solvents, have been prepared via an anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide onto PVA beads and applied in solid-phase synthesis, supported TEMPO catalysis and in HR-MAS 1H NMR spectral analysis.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) grown from a culture medium in the presence of water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) produced an assemblage that was used as precursor for the synthesis of biocompatible nanocomposites. Physical crosslinking via cyclic freezing and thawing of the formed hydrogel facilitated retention of PVA matrix upon composite separation and purification. The composites displayed a ...

Graft poly(ε-caprolactone)s (PCLs) with high graft density were synthesized by using random copolymer poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) to initiate ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone, with and without cocatalyst Sn(Oct)2. The graft copolymer were characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR. The solution property and the crystallization behavior were also investigated.

a novel starch/poly (vinyl alcohol)/nano-titanium dioxide (st/pva/nano-tio2) biodegradable nanocomposite film was prepared by homogeneously dispersed tio2 nanoparticles in different ratios of starch/pva-based materials, via a solution casting method. glycerol was used as plasticizer. the mechanical and thermal properties of films were studied using tensile and perforation strength tests and the...

Despite the established use of total joint replacement for the treatment of advanced degeneration of articular cartilage, component loosening due to wear and osteolysis limits the lifespan of these joint prostheses. In the present study, nanocomposites consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers were investigated as possible improved cartilage replacement mat...

In this study, cellulose nanocrystals/zinc oxide (CNCs/ZnO) nanocomposites were dispersed as bifunctional nano-sized fillers into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan (Cs) blend by a solvent casting method to prepare PVA/Cs/CNCs/ZnO bio-nanocomposites films. The morphology, thermal, mechanical and UV-vis absorption properties, as well antimicrobial effects of the bio-nanocomposite films were ...