Properties of as-prepared and freeze-dried hydrogels made from poly(vinyl alcohol) and cellulose nanocrystals using freeze-thaw technique

Poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA hydrogels are potential materials for biomedical and biotechnogical applications. However, their low mechanical properties restrict their use. In this study, the effect of PVA concentration, addition of nanocrystalline cellulose, CNC, number of freeze-thaw cycles and freeze-drying stage on properties of resulting hydrogels were investigated. The results showed that increase in PVA concentration and the addition of CNC...