Synthesis of spherical porous cross-linked glutaraldehyde/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Abstract Spherical glutaraldehyde cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels (G-PVA) were prepared in three steps: gelatification, cross-linking, and removal of alginate. Gelatification was carried out by dropping a solution of alginate, PVA, and glutaraldehyde into a calcium chloride solution to form calcium alginate. Calcium alginate gels were prepared at 20°C, 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C to study the effect of gelatification temperature on the formation of pores on the surface of G-PVA. The effect of the alginate content was studied. PVA and glutaraldehyde were cross-linked by immersion of the gels in a solution of H2SO4 and Na2SO4. The effect of sodium alginate and inorganic salts, such as MgSO4 and K2SO4, on the formation of pores on the surface of G-PVA was confirmed.