Synthesis and properties of physically crosslinked poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

The present study is an investigation of the properties of poly (vinyl alcohol), which would be a better contact lens material than conventional HEMA in some ways. A transparent PVA hydrogel was prepared from a PVA solution in a mixed solvent consisting of water and a water-miscible organic solvent, DMSO, by the freezing-thawing method. The water content, visible light transmittance, mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogels were evaluated as a function of PVA concentration and number of freeze-thaw cycles. The results show that the properties of PVA hydrogels depend on the polymer concentration, the number of freeze-thaw cycles and the addition of the organic solvent.