⟡ Poly(vinyl alcohol) / PVA / Water-Soluble Polymers
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), MW 25,000, 88% Hydrolyzed
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), also known as PVOH, is a water-soluble synthetic polymer derived from polyvinyl acetate through hydrolysis. This grade has an approximate molecular weight of 25,000 and is 88 mol% hydrolyzed, offering a practical balance of water solubility, film formation, hydrogen bonding, and formulation flexibility.
Partially hydrolyzed PVA is commonly used in films, coatings, adhesives, hydrogels, emulsions, biomedical materials, textile sizing, paper processing, and formulation development. Its 88% hydrolysis level supports easier dissolution compared with more highly hydrolyzed grades while maintaining useful strength, adhesion, and moisture-interaction properties.
Polysciences supplies poly(vinyl alcohol) materials for research, laboratory, industrial, and formulation applications requiring consistent water-soluble polymer performance.
Key Features & Benefits
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Water-soluble PVA polymer: suitable for aqueous formulations and water-interactive systems
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88 mol% hydrolyzed: partially hydrolyzed grade designed for easier dissolution and formulation flexibility
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Approximate MW 25,000: supports manageable viscosity, processability, and film-forming behavior
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Film-forming polymer: useful in coatings, packaging films, adhesives, and barrier applications
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Hydrogen bonding capability: supports adhesion, moisture retention, and structural integrity
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Hydrogel and biomaterials utility: applicable in biomedical research, drug delivery, and wound dressing studies
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Emulsion stabilization: can function as a protective colloid in polymerization and dispersion systems
Product Details
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Product name: Poly(vinyl alcohol)
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Common abbreviations: PVA, PVOH
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Molecular weight: ~25,000
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Hydrolysis: 88 mol% hydrolyzed
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Polydispersity: ~1.9
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Polymer type: Partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol)
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Solubility: Water soluble
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Function: Film former, binder, adhesive, stabilizer, hydrogel polymer, formulation additive
Typical Applications
Films, Coatings & Packaging
Poly(vinyl alcohol) is used to form water-soluble and biodegradable films for coatings, packaging, barrier layers, and controlled-permeability applications.
Adhesives & Binders
PVA functions as a water-soluble adhesive and binder in paper, textile, wood, and industrial formulations where adhesion and film strength are important.
Hydrogels & Biomedical Research
Used in hydrogel systems, wound dressing research, drug delivery studies, and biomaterials applications because of its hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and gel-forming behavior.
Emulsion Polymerization & Stabilization
Acts as a protective colloid in emulsion polymerization processes, helping stabilize dispersions and support particle formation.
Textile & Paper Processing
Used as a sizing agent, surface treatment polymer, and binder to improve fiber strength, coating performance, and processability.
Why Hydrolysis Percentage Matters
The degree of hydrolysis affects PVA solubility, crystallinity, hydrogen bonding, film strength, and dissolution behavior. Partially hydrolyzed grades such as this 88 mol% hydrolyzed PVA generally dissolve more easily than highly hydrolyzed grades while still providing strong film formation, adhesion, and water-interaction properties.
Higher hydrolysis grades typically require more energy to dissolve because of increased crystallinity and stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Selecting the appropriate hydrolysis level depends on the desired balance of solubility, viscosity, film strength, and application performance.
Why Molecular Weight Matters
Molecular weight influences PVA viscosity, film strength, processability, and solution behavior. This ~25,000 MW grade provides a lower-to-moderate molecular weight option for applications requiring manageable viscosity, easier handling, and controlled formulation performance.
Higher molecular weight PVA grades generally increase viscosity and film strength, while lower molecular weight grades are often selected for easier dissolution, lower solution viscosity, and improved processing flexibility.
Why Researchers & Manufacturers Use PVA
Poly(vinyl alcohol) is widely used across industrial, biomedical, packaging, coating, adhesive, and formulation applications because it combines water solubility, film-forming ability, chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and strong hydrogen bonding behavior.
PVA is frequently selected when a formulation requires water interaction, controlled permeability, adhesion, film formation, emulsion stabilization, or hydrogel performance.
Handling & Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container.
- Protect from moisture to maintain product quality.
- Add gradually to water with mixing to promote proper dispersion and dissolution.
- Higher hydrolysis grades may require additional heat or mixing energy to dissolve.
- Consult the SDS for complete handling and safety information.
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FAQ
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What is poly(vinyl alcohol) used for?
Poly(vinyl alcohol) is used in films, coatings, adhesives, hydrogels, biomedical materials, textile sizing, paper processing, emulsion stabilization, and packaging applications.
What does PVA mean?
PVA commonly stands for poly(vinyl alcohol), also abbreviated as PVOH. It is a water-soluble synthetic polymer derived from polyvinyl acetate through hydrolysis.
What does 88% hydrolyzed PVA mean?
88% hydrolyzed PVA means that approximately 88 mol% of the acetate groups from the starting polyvinyl acetate have been converted to alcohol groups, influencing solubility, crystallinity, hydrogen bonding, and film behavior.
Is poly(vinyl alcohol) water soluble?
Yes. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is water soluble, though dissolution behavior depends on molecular weight, hydrolysis percentage, temperature, and mixing conditions.
What is the difference between partially hydrolyzed and fully hydrolyzed PVA?
Partially hydrolyzed PVA, such as 88% hydrolyzed PVA, generally dissolves more easily in water. Fully or highly hydrolyzed PVA typically has greater crystallinity and stronger hydrogen bonding, which can require more heat or mixing energy to dissolve.
Why is PVA used in films and coatings?
PVA is used in films and coatings because it offers strong film-forming ability, adhesion, mechanical strength, moisture interaction, and controlled permeability.
Do you supply PVA for industrial and research applications?
Yes. Polysciences supplies poly(vinyl alcohol) materials for laboratory, industrial, biomedical, coating, adhesive, and formulation applications worldwide.
