Immobilization of poly(ethylene glycol) onto a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel. 1. Synthesis and characterization

PEGs were immobilized onto a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel using either acetal or urethane linkages. The hydrogel was crosslinked with glutaraldehyde using MgCl 2 (water based) or toluenesulfonic acid (DMSO based) as the acid catalyst. Fully hydrated gels prepared from DMSO had a lower compression modulus than those prepared from water although both materials possessed similar water contents.