Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a typical water-soluble polyhydroxy
polymer with high hydrophilicity and good biocompatibility.1 Its
good chemical resistance, physical properties and biodegradability
have recommended its broad application as a paper coating
and textile sizing agent, adhesive and drug carrier.2,3 Further, the
excellent barrier properties of PVA toward oxygen and carbon
dioxide have led to its use in food packaging applications.4
Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was widely used as the polymer matrix in
field of membrane [1–2] due to its good biocompatibility [3] and its excellent
film forming capacities [4]. A major disadvantage of PVA as a
membrane is its poor mechanical stability and water resistance. Thus,
in realistic applications, we must modify it, and the modification of
PVA membranes is one of the areas of particular interest in membrane
science
Recently, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been used as an
important water-soluble polymer in synthetic fiber, paper,
textile, coating, and binder industries because of its excellent
physical properties, nontoxicity, processability, good
chemical resistance, wide range of crystallinity, good filmformation
capacity, and complete biodegradability