# Tailoring Hydrogel Structures: Investigating the Effects of Multistep Cellulose Defibrillation on Polyvinyl Alcohol Composites

## TL;DR

This paper explores how different levels of cellulose defibrillation affect the properties of hydrogels made with polyvinyl alcohol, showing improved strength and swelling.

## Contribution

The study reveals how multistep cellulose defibrillation alters hydrogel structure and mechanical properties through freeze–thaw crosslinking.

## Key findings

- Multistep defibrillation reduces crystallinity and thermal degradation in PVA hydrogels.
- Defibrillation up to 120 steps increases elastic modulus while maintaining strength in hydrated conditions.
- Enhanced swelling of PVA chains is observed with increased defibrillation steps.

## Abstract

Defibrillating cellulose through various grinding steps and incorporating it into hydrogels introduces unique properties that warrant thorough exploration. This study investigates cellulose defibrillation at different steps (15–120) using an ultra-fine friction grinder, blended with high-molecular-weight polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and crosslinked via freeze–thawing. A critical discovery is the influence of defibrillation on the hydrogel structure, as evidenced by reduced crystallinity, thermal degradation, and the enhanced swelling of PVA chains. Despite an increased elastic modulus of up to 120 steps, the synthesized material maintains remarkable strength under hydrated conditions, holding significant promise in biomaterial applications.