No abstract

A series of PVA/PVP based hydrogels at different compositions were prepared by gamma irradiation. The gel fraction degree of swelling were investigated. Highly stable and uniformly distributed silver nanoparticles have been obtained onto hydrogel networks. The morphology and structure of (PVA/PVP) hydrogel and dispersion of the silver nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), respectively. The formation of silver nanoparticles has been confirmed by ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. A strong characteristic absorption peak was found to be around 420 nm for the silver nanoparticles in the hydrogel nanocomposite. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of silver nanoparticles with average particle size of 12 nm. The diameter distribution of silver nanoparticles was determined by dynamic light scattering DLS. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed almost spherical and uniform distribution of silver nanoparticles through the hydrogel network and the mean size of silver nanoparticles ranging is 23 nm. The good swelling properties and antibacterial of PVA/PVP-Ag hydrogel suggest that it can be a good candidate as wound dressing.

The non-cross-linked and cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were prepared by the casting method then irradiated with gamma rays for various doses up to 300 kGy. The structure and characterization of PVA were determined by using Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Swelling behaviour was also investigated. Mechanical properties have been examined with respect to the absorbed dose. The color of the films changed to yellowish-white after irradiation and the crystallinity of the films decreased with increasing dose. Additional changes observed by FTIR analysis of the degradation products demonstrated that the radiolysis of PVA was initiated by liberation of H and OH groups leading to scission of the main chains and formation of carbonyl and double bond groups. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The FTIR, UV, XRD and mechanical properties indicate that the addition of cross-linker led to high degrees of interaction between the cross-linker and the macromolecules of polymeric chains and acted as a stabilizing agent against gamma irradiation.

Carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels were synthesized by grafting of acrylamide (AAm) and methacrylic acid (MAAc) individually with different concentrations onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using direct radiation grafting technique. It was found that for both Poly(CMC/AAm) and Poly(CMC/MAAc), the grafting yield and grafting ratio increase with the increasing monomer concentration. Also, it is noted that both grafting ratio and grafting yield of Poly(CMC/AAm) are higher than that of Poly(CMC/MAAc). The effect of different monomer concentrations on gel (%) and swelling behavior was studied. It is found that the increasing monomer concentration increases gel (%). For Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels, the swelling behavior decreases with increasing AAm concentration due to high crosslinking hydrogel formation, while as MAAc content increases, swelling behavior increases up to Poly(CMC/MAAc) 1:25 wt%. Swelling kinetics and diffusion mechanism indicate that the water penetration obeys non-Fickian transport mechanism. The structures and properties of the original CMC and the prepared Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) were characterized using different analytical tools such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study provides a solution to the discharge of different pollutants from wastewater. The adsorption capacity of Poly(CMC/MAAc) and Poly(CMC/AAm) hydrogels toward heavy metals, Cu +2 and Co +2, dyes such as acid blue dye and methyl green, and organic contaminants such as 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid has been investigated.

The radiation initiated grafting of N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) acryl‐amide (AAm) and their mixtures onto polypropylene (PP) films using a direct radiation technique has been investigated. Different solvents were used for diluting the monomers and it was found that dioxane was suitable for this grafting system. The influence of other grafting parameters such as inhibitor, monomer concentration and dose rate on the rate of grafting and grafting yield was studied. The values of the coefficients relating the grafting rate to monomer concentration and dose rate were found to be 1·4 and 1·5 for (NVP), and 1·6 and 1·47 for (AAm), respectively. Also, the coefficients relating grafting rate to co‐monomer concentration for 20/80 and 50/50 AAm/NVP mixtures were found to be 1·6 and 1·7. Some physicochemical properties such as swelling, thermal behaviour, mechanical and electrical conductivity were also investigated, and the possibility of some practical uses, e.g. the removal of heavy metals from solution, for the grafted membranes is discussed. © 1998 SCI.