The physical and chemical properties of the polyvinylalcohol/polyvinylpyrrolidone/hydroxyapatite composite hydrogel

A hydrogel of polyvinylalcohol (PVA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/hydroxyapatite (HA) was prepared by a repeated freezing and thawing technique. The effect of HA on the hydrogel was evaluated by comparing the physical and chemical properties of PVA/PVP/HA and PVA/PVP hydrogels. By using theoretical models, the information about the swelling kinetics and the dehydration kinetics have been obtained. From the analysis of structure, mechanical properties, and molecular interaction, the application of PVA/PVP/HA hydrogel as a biomaterial has been evaluated. Relative to PVA/PVP, the PVA/PVP/HA hydrogel is of denser network structure, lower water content, larger storage modulus, and higher dehydration activation energy. These results reveal that, as HA fills in the hydrogel, the molecular interaction is enhanced, the free space of network is compressed, and the diffusion activation energy of water is increased. In spite of its water content being decreased, it is still in the range of meeting the requirement of bio-application. When the hydrogel is subjected to external forces, the matrix will transfer the load to the HA powder, thus enhance the strength of the hydrogel. For application in bio-materials, HA will still have osteoinductivity because its crystalline structure is not interrupted in PVA/PVP/HA hydrogel environment.