Advanced Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Using FT-NIR Spectroscopy

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer used in constructing synthetic materials and as a suspension polymerization agent. Due to its biocompatibility, it is also used as a base polymer for additive manufacturing—e.g., 3D printing—and as a key material in various medical device products.

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PVA is synthesized via hydrolysis via polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), achieved by a base-catalyzed transesterification (e.g., alcoholysis) with alcohol, such as methanol or ethanol. The consequential reaction changes the acetate groups into hydroxyl groups.

[CH₂CH(OAc)]n + C₂H₅OH → [CH₂CH(OH)]n + C₂H₅OAc

The level of transesterification—i.e., hydroxyl group conversion yield—is important because it is directly related to the final PVA product characteristics. It is traditionally calculated offline using laborious laboratory titration techniques.

FT-NIR spectroscopy can instead be employed as a rapid and non-destructive approach to verify the degree of transesterification on liquid and solid product forms.

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This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ABB.

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