A study of cryostructuring of polymer systems. 34. Poly(vinyl alcohol) composite cryogels filled with microparticles of polymer dispersion

作者:Podorozhko E A*; D'yakonova E A; Kolosova O Yu; Klabukova L F; Lozinsky V I
来源:Colloid Journal, 2012, 74(6): 708-716.
DOI:10.1134/S1061933X12060117

摘要

Macroporous filled and unfilled poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cryogels are produced by cryogenic treatment (freezing at -20A degrees C for 12 h followed by thawing at a rate of 0.03A degrees C/min) of mixtures of an aqueous PVA solution and a full-component poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) dispersion or its individual components. The values of the elasticity modulus and fusion temperature are determined for obtained samples; their microstructure is studied by light microscopy of thin sections. It is shown that the effects that are induced by the incorporation of PVAc dispersion into the macroporous matrix of the PVA cryogel are due to the presence of both a discrete phase, i.e., solid PVAc microparticles, and ingredients of the liquid phase of the PVAc dispersion, mainly, urea. Therewith, the dispersed particles themselves serve as a reinforcing filler, i.e., increase the rigidity and (to a lesser extent) heat endurance of the cryogel, while urea, which possesses chaotropic properties and hinders the intermolecular hydrogen bonding of PVA chains, reduces the rigidity and heat endurance of the composites. As a result, the total effect is determined by the competition of differently directed influences of these components of PVAc dispersion and depends on its concentration in the resulting filled cryogel. It is also shown that PVAc microparticles are mainly entrapped in the gel phase of the macroporous matrix and form necklacelike aggregates, the cross-sectional areas and lengths of which depend on the degree of composite filling.