PVA/PAA thermo-induced hydrogel fiber: Preparation and pH-sensitive behavior in electrolyte solution

The preparation of thermo-induced hydrogel fibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylic acid) is presented. The hydrogel fiber was prepared by extruding the spinning dope from in situ polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of PVA into a 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 a hysteresis loop in the pH range from 3.0 to 12.0. The pH value, at which the swelling elongation ratio of the fiber had a jump, shifted to a lower value with increasing PAA content within the network. Increasing the heating temperature and time for the fibers, decreased the swelling elongation ratio, and the jump point pH shifted to higher pH value. The oscillatory swelling/contracting behavior of the hydrogel fiber exhibited a good reversible pH-responsive property. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) showed that PVA and PAA have good compatibility and give a relative independent interpenetrating network. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that in the surface of the fibers there were microholes and ditches due to some diffusion of PAA into the coagulating solution. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.