PVA and PVP Hydrogel Blends for Wound Dressing: Synthesis and Characterisation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is the development and characterizations of novel polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) hydrogel blends. Different mixtures of the two polymeric solutions leaded to several hydrogels that were further characterized using X-ray difraction (XRD), differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The influence of the polymer type on hydrogel hydration was also studied, by observing and comparing the samples after drying and rehydration in bidistilled water. The results revealed the maintenance of the amorphous character of the hydrogels after rehydration as well as a higher softening and decomposition temperature in direct relation with the increase of PVA content. The best wetting and swelling results were also given by the hydrogel with the highest PVA content prepared at pH 6.