Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.81, No.12, 2868-2874, 2001
Water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) grafted with propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin: Characterization, mechanical properties, and model reactions
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) prepared by full hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) was etherified with propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. The reaction was done in water with sulfuric acid or sodium hydroxide. Previously, model reactions were carried out on propan-2-ol, pentan-3-ol, and pentan-2,4-diol in order to make the NMR characterization of grafted PVA easier. The new materials were also characterized by DSC and mechanical tests. A determination of their solubility in cold water was done as well. Generally, the prepared polymers showed excellent solubility in water at 10 degreesC and a very low glass-transition temperature. Consequently, the properties of tension, elongation, elasticity, and resistance were improved.