EFFECT OF DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE AND GLYCEROL ON THE PROPERTIES OF CRYOGELS

The paper presents the results of a study of the freezing point of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solutions dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water. The influence of the nature of the solvent and glycerin additives on the freezing temperature of the PVA solution was determined. Elastic and thermophysical properties of cryogels based on PVA solutions were studied. It was found that PVA cryogels formed in DMSO have a lower elastic modulus and melting point than cryogels formed from aqueous PVA solutions. Since DMSO is a thermodynamically better solvent for PVA than water, i.e. the affinity of the polymer for DMSO is higher, this reduces the efficiency of gelation due to competition between polymer-solvent and polymer-polymer interactions. When cooling PVA solutions, the supercooling temperature of the system in water and DMSO was observed. For a 10% aqueous solution of PVA, the supercooling temperature of the system is minus 5 °C, before freezing begins, which occurs at a temperature of minus 1.5 °C. The supercooling temperature of a PVA solution in DMSO is minus 20 °C, and the freezing temperature is minus 0.8 °C. The introduction of glycerol into an aqueous PVA solution leads to a significant decrease in the freezing temperature of the three-component solution (PVA, glycerol and water). It is noted that with an increase in the concentration of glycerol in an aqueous PVA solution, the elastic modulus increases, and the melting temperature decreases, compared to cryogels based on a two-component cryogel. The results of the studies can expand the scope of use of PVA cryogels as composite materials intended for use in northern regions, including in oil production and transportation technologies. For citation: Fufaeva M.S., Manzhai V.N. Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol on the properties of cryogels. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2025. V. 68. N 8. P. 6-11. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20256808.8t.