Preparation and Property Study of Polyvinyl Alcohol–Based Hydrogels Loaded With Traditional Chinese Medicine for Textile Applications

Abstract

This study addresses the limitations of drug-carrying gels regarding mechanical properties, process complexity, and slow-release control by developing a green, nonpolluting, high-toughness hydrogel for traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits excellent slow-release properties. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) hydrogels, along with various ratios of PVA/HACC (hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan) hydrogels and PVA/HACC/CNW (cellulose nanowhisker) hydrogels, were prepared using a cyclic freeze–thaw method. The results indicated that the maximum tensile strength of the composite hydrogel reached 0.845 MPa, and its toughness was measured at 113.38 MJ/m³, demonstrating superior mechanical properties. Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), selected for its low toxicity and excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, served as the model drug. The drug-loaded composite hydrogels exhibited a highly porous structure, where the increased HACC content led to larger pore sizes and enhanced drug release rates. Overall, the findings suggest that these drug-carrying gels possess favorable mechanical properties and exceptional drug release capabilities, indicating their significant potential for drug delivery applications.