Modification of Poly Vinyl alcohol by Grafting and Appropriate Blending for Higher Stability and Biomedical field Application

Abstract

PVA is a one of the most important vinyl polymer which is widely used in industrial applications. PVA polymer has excellent adhesive property, solubility in water and it is biodegradable. But when it is modified by appropriate crosslinking or grafting or blending techniques then its physical as well as stability is altered. When polymer is modified by blending with other materials then its degradability decreases but thermal stability increases. In this study PVA has been modified by using cross-linking and grafting techniques. In the modification of PVA, first PVA was grafted with acrylic acid and then blended with starch in z-blade mixer at 180°C. Composites were prepared by varying the concentrations of acrylic monomer and then polymer films of different concentrations were casted. PVA was grafted with acrylic monomer and then grafted polymer was blended with starch in the ratio of 3:1. Such modified blended polymer have shown 30-50% higher thermal stability as compared to original PVA. Modified Grafted PVA-starch blend also have shown 3 to 4 times swelling characteristics. Due to its higher swelling property and thermal stability it can be used in biomedical field for making syringes, blood carrying bags making syringes etc. Most important points is that such biomedical equipment will be stable upto high temperature as well as low temperature.