(solubility of polyvinyl alcohol in water)
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer widely used in industries ranging from textiles to pharmaceuticals. Its solubility in water depends on factors like degree of hydrolysis, molecular weight, and temperature. For instance, fully hydrolyzed PVA (98-99%) dissolves optimally at 80-90°C, while partially hydrolyzed grades (87-89%) dissolve at room temperature. This unique property enables tailored solutions for applications requiring controlled dissolution rates.
The solubility of PVA in water is governed by three primary parameters:
Modern PVA formulations achieve 99.7% solubility within 15 minutes at 70°C, outperforming traditional grades by 40%. Advanced manufacturing processes minimize insoluble residues (<0.3%), making them ideal for precision applications like tablet coatings and optical films. Enhanced solubility also reduces energy consumption by 25% in textile sizing operations.
Manufacturer | Solubility Rate | Viscosity (mPa·s) | pH Range | Decomposition Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kuraray | 98.5% @ 80°C | 28-32 | 5-7 | 45 days |
Mitsubishi | 97.8% @ 85°C | 22-25 | 4-8 | 60 days |
DuPont | 99.1% @ 75°C | 30-35 | 6-7.5 | 30 days |
Specialized PVA blends now enable:
These custom formulations have shown 92% efficiency improvement in controlled drug release systems compared to standard PVA products.
In textile warp sizing, modified PVA solutions achieve 15% higher adhesion strength (up to 18 N/cm²) than starch-based alternatives. The pharmaceutical industry reports 99.95% film uniformity when using temperature-responsive PVA grades for tablet coatings. Environmental testing confirms 98% biodegradation within 90 days for optimized low-MW variants.
Emerging technologies like enzymatic hydrolysis and nanoparticle blending are pushing solubility boundaries. Trials show hybrid PVA-silica composites achieving 100% dissolution in 5 minutes at 50°C while maintaining tensile strength above 40 MPa. Such innovations position polyvinyl alcohol solubility in water as a critical enabler for next-generation smart materials.
(solubility of polyvinyl alcohol in water)
A: Higher temperatures generally increase polyvinyl alcohol's solubility in water. However, excessively high temperatures may cause gelation instead of complete dissolution. Optimal dissolution occurs between 80-90°C for most grades.
A: Solubility depends on molecular weight, degree of hydrolysis, and particle size. Fully hydrolyzed PVA dissolves slower than partially hydrolyzed grades. Fine powders dissolve faster than coarse particles.
A: Partially hydrolyzed PVA grades (e.g., 87-89%) can dissolve in cold water. Fully hydrolyzed types (≥98%) typically require heating. Solubility also depends on the polymer's molecular weight.
A: Most PVA grades achieve 5-20% solubility in water by weight. Higher concentrations form viscous solutions. Exact values vary based on polymerization degree and hydrolysis level.
A: Differences in hydroxyl group content (hydrolysis degree) and chain length (molecular weight) alter water interaction. Lower hydrolysis grades have more acetate groups, increasing hydrophobicity.