Physicochemical Properties of Solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) of Different Molecular Weights

Abstract

The physicochemical properties (surface tension, dynamic viscosity, crystallization and melting temperatures) of polyvinyl alcohol solutions of molecular weight 9, 31 and 72 kDa have been studied. The surface tension and the critical concentration of micelle formation were determined by the method of stalogometry, and the dynamic viscosity was determined using an Oswald viscometer. The crystallization and melting temperatures were determined in a cooled modified chamber of the UOP-6 software freezer at a rate of 2°C/min. Cryomicroscopic studies were carried out on a polarizing microscope "MIN-8". The surface tension reflects the interaction of PVA solutions with the lipid layer of biomembranes and indicates the hydrophobic properties of substances. The viscosity of PVA solutions characterizes their interaction with water molecules and reflects hydrophilic interactions. The purpose of the study is to determine the physicochemical properties of PVS that characterize the hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions in the studied solutions and the micelle formation of PVА solutions of different molecular weights. Materials and methods. Studies of the dynamic viscosity and density of 0.1%-1% PVA solutions of molecular weight 9, 31 kDa showed that these parameters increase with increasing PVA concentration, which leads to increased hydrophilicity of the solutions. Results and discussion. It was shown that the surface tension of PVA solutions decreases with increasing concentration, which leads to a decrease in the hydrophobic properties of the polymer. It was found that in 0.5% PVА solutions of molecular weight 9 and 31 kDa the crystallization and melting temperatures decrease from -5 to -6°C. At these temperatures, crystallization and melting of the solutions begin. Conclusion. The study of micelle formation in PVА solutions of different molecular masses was carried out, surface tension isotherms were constructed, and the break point on the isotherm corresponding to the CCM was determined. The values of the critical concentration of micelle formation of PVА of molecular masses 9, 31, 72 kDa were determined. Hydrophobic links of PVА of molecular masses 9 and 31 kDa form hydrophobic cavities in the micelle structure, which can reduce recrystallization activity