PVA/PAA thermo-crosslinking hydrogel fiber: preparation and pH-sensitive properties in electrolyte solution

The preparation of thermo-crosslinking hydrogel fibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was presented. The hydrogel fiber was prepared by extruding the spinning dope from in situ polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of PVA into coagulating bath of saturated ammonium sulfate aqueous solution. The network was formed by thermally heating the dried fibers under vacuum. The final hydrogel fibers exhibit pH-sensitive behavior and show hysteresis loop in the pH range from 2.5 to 12.5. The pH value at which the swelling ratio of the fiber had a jump shifted to lower value with increasing the PAA content within the network. Increasing the heating temperature and time for the fibers, the swelling ratio decreased and the jump point pH shifted to higher pH value. The oscillatory swelling/contracting behavior of the hydrogel fiber exhibited a well reversible pH-responsive property.