The preparation of a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid)/glyoxal film (PVA = poly(vinyl alcohol);
PAA = poly(acrylic acid)) with high tensile strength and hydrophobic properties by using the
crosslinking reaction for OH group removal is reported herein. PAA was selected as a crosslinking
agent because the functional carboxyl group in each monomer unit facilitates reaction with PVA. The
OH groups on unreacted PVA were removed by the addition of glyoxal to the PVA/PAA solution. The
chemical properties of the PVA/PAA films were investigated using Fourier transformation infrared
spectroscopy and the thermal properties of the PVA/PAA/glyoxal films were investigated by means
of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis