Charged group-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels: Preparation and antibacterial property

Abstract Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels are widely employed in various biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, high water solubility, low protein adsorption, and chemical stability. In this work, two types of PVA-based hydrogels were synthesized by copolymerization of cationic [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl]trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) or zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) with acrylated PVA (Acr-PVA), prepared through modification of the hydroxyl groups of PVA with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The antibacterial rates of Acr-PVA-g-PDMC hydrogels can reach 99.88% against Escherichia. coli and 99.99% against Staphylococcus. aureus. By comparison, the antibacterial rates of the Acr-PVA-g-PSBMA hydrogels can reach 88.40% against E. coli and 96% against S. aureus. Moreover, the Acr-PVA-g-PSBMA hydrogels possess better cell anti-adhesive properties than the Acr-PVA-g-PDMC hydrogels. The two types of hydrogels similarly possess macroporous structures, suitable swelling capacity, good mechanical properties and favorable cytocompatibility toward L929 cells. All results imply that charged group modified PVA hydrogels not only maintain the inherent properties of PVA but also possess excellent antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties. As such, the hydrogels show potential applications in biological materials fields.