Review: Poly(vinyl alcohol) Functionalizations and Applications

Abstract

Functionalizations of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) congruent with the desired applications are herein discussed. The chemical modifications of PVA with different molecular weights and hydrolysis degrees via conventional chemistries, namely esterification, carbamation, etherification, and via the modern ones such as click chemistry, led to finished materials with a wide range of applications and uses: membrane fuel cells, biologicals and biomedicals, adsorption of heavy metals and other contaminants, molecular sensing or chemosensor for detection of some useful molecules or toxic ones, separation of mixtures, catalysis in organic and inorganic syntheses. Different forms of the duly modified PVAs were employed in such applications, including: hydrogels, films, membranes, and nanoparticles. The incorporated modifying agents onto PVA matrixes brought some changes that were in tune with the projected applications. These modifying agents were not confined to molecular compounds but also to macromolecular ones which are graphene, hyaluronic acid, β-cylcodextrin, polystyrene, poly(4-vinylpyridine), and poly(L-lactic acid). Downloaded by [University of Cambridge] at 07:33 23 August 2015 2

Chitosan-Based Anion Exchange Membranes for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

“…The polymer displays perfect membrane properties and, due to its exchangeable functional groups, the polymer can easily be modified [14]. Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is an inexpensive semi-crystalline polyhydroxy polymer, and has also excellent film-forming properties and a high density of reactive chemical functions [15].…”

“…A common strategy of introducing ionic conductive groups into polymeric matrices is the quaternization with a clear preference for trimethylammonium (-N(CH 3 ) 3 ) groups onto the backbone or side chains of the polymers [15][16][17][18][19][20][21]; this ensures a better chemical stability than other functional groups such as pyridinium, sulfonium and imidazolium [22].…”

Polymeric Thioxanthones as Potential Anticancer and Radiotherapy Agents

“…Similarly, PVA has been widely employed as modifying agent in designing various materials for different purposes. Its solubility in water and unique biocompatibility have led to spread its use particularly in biomedical applications …”

“…Its solubility in water and unique biocompatibility have led to spread its use particularly in biomedical applications. [ 26,27 ] Radiotherapy alone or in combination with other modalities is commonly applied as a treatment approach to fi ght against cancer. This method has recently become a principal cancer therapy methodology since high survival rates were succeeded for certain cancer types and many research activities were directed toward enhancement of radiosensitivity and minimization of radiation dose to normal tissue.…”

Commentary regarding: “Activity determination of FAD‐dependent glucose dehydrogenase immobilized in PEDOT: PSS‐PVA composite films for biosensor applications”

“…However, upon adding PVA to the system, no further interferences were experimentally assessed because this polymer is considered as a rather inert material [4] which is often chemically modified in order to Abbreviations: BCA, bicinchoninic acid; C-F, Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol; FAD-GDH, flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent glucose dehydrogenase; PB, phosphate buffer; PEDOT:PSS, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene: polystyrene sulfonate); PVA, poly(vinyl alcohol); TS, test system. improve its reactivity [4][5][6]. Besides, research on analyzing and reviewing components that the Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent interferes with gained tremendous momentum over the past decades [7][8][9][10][11].…”