Hierarchic Structure of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Gel

We have studied hierarchic structure of water-soluble and biocompatible PVA gels using wide-angel, small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering and light scattering in a wide Q range from 10^-4 to 10 A^-1. It revealed structure due to phase separation in micrometer order, network structure in nm scale and structure of cross-linking points in A order.

Appearance of PVA gels prepared in DMSO/water (60/4) at various temperatures.

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I(Q) of PVA gel determined by WANS, SANS, USANS and LS over 5 decades, and schematic sketch of hierarchic structure of PVA gel.