Improving mechanical properties and biodegradation of polyvinyl alcohol material using poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)

Green polyvinyl alcohol/poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PVA/PLGA) composite materials were developed by dissolving PVA and PLGA in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), followed by the subsequent layout of PVA/PLGA/HFIP liquid film and the removal of HFIP. Interestingly, the PVA/PLGA composite materials display remarkedly enhanced tensile strength, elongation at break, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Systematic investigations have been completed to reveal the effects of PVA/PLGA mass ratio on the tensile strength, elongation at break, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Meanwhile, the morphology, crystallinity and chemical structure of the PVA/PLGA material and possible interaction between PVA and PLGA are also investigated using scanning electron micrograph, infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction techniques.