Two-Step Synthesis of a High Mechanical Strength Polyacrylamide/Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel

Polyacrylamide/poly(vinyl alcohol) interpenetrating network(PAM/PVA IPN) hydrogel was synthesized using a novel two-step aqueous polymerization method.The influences of PVA contents and crosslinker dosage on stress-strain of PAM/PVA IPN hydrogels were investigated.The tensile measurements showed that the PAM/PVA IPN hydrogel held high mechanical strength and good toughness with a highest tensile strength and elongation of 2.4 MPa and 3 000%,respectively.The strain relaxation of the hydrogels was investigated and the toughening mechanism of separated PVA was detailedly discussed.The structures and morphologies of PAM/PVA IPN hydrogels were characterized and analyzed by FTIR,SEM and XRD.