A new class of hydrogels based on hydroxypropylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone

Hydrogels based on hydroxypropylcellulose, cross-linked in the presence of vinylpyrrolidone, were prepared and characterized. They are more self-supporting as the percentage of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the copolymer increases. The influence of the cross-link degree and chemical composition on the trend of equilibrium swelling as a function of temperature was analyzed. A thermal cycle corresponding to a reversible process of solvent adsorption and deadsorption is illustrated.