AU Biomaterials Design Lab:Protocols/PVOH Crosslinking dialdehydes

Protocol

Day 1

1. Prepare heating/soaking solutions
   • 5:1:0.1 H₂O/Na₂SO₄/H₂SO₄
   • 1 M HCl
   • 0.2 M NaHCO₃
2. Place PVOH in 10 mL beaker
3. Add small amount of water (~10 mL / g PVOH)
4. Heat to 70°C-80°C and stir until dissolved (~30 min)
5. Cool to room temperature while stirring (~20 min)
6. Add 4-20 wt% dialdehyde under the fume hood
7. Pour into Teflon dish under the fume hood
8. Air dry 2 - 4 days under the fume hood

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Day 2

1. Heat 50 mL acidic sulfate solution in a beaker to 70°C
2. Place formed film in heated solution for 60 min
3. Heat 50 mL HCl solution in a beaker to 70°C
4. Rinse film in deionized water for a few seconds
5. Place film in HCl solution for 60 min
6. Rinse film in deionized water for a few seconds
7. Place film in 50 mL NaHCO₃ solution for 20-30 min
8. Rinse film in deionized water for a few seconds
9. Place film in 50 mL deionized water for 10-20 min
10. Rinse film in deionized water for a few seconds
11. Air dry under fume hood for 2 days

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Day 3

1. Dry in oven at 70°C for 2 hr