Storage Modulus and Surface Morphology of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Alumina Hybrid Hydrogels

The storage modu, shear modu and surface morphologies of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and alumina hybrid hydrogels were investigated. The storage moduli of hybrid hydrogels with higher alumina contents were found to be 1.5 times higher than those of PVA gels. This increase in modulus might be attributed to the cohesion of alumina to the PVA network.