Bacterial nano-cellulose(BC) membranes of high purity

ultrafine network architecture and excellent biocompatibility were used to reinforce the poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) hydrogels

which were prepared by physical method of freezing and thawing.The mechanical properties of the BC/PVA composite hydrogels were investigated

the mass percent of PVA

the number of BC layers and some other conditions like pre-treatment method of BC membranes were considered in the preparation process.The mechanical properties of the BC/PVA composite hydrogels were tested by tensile testing machine

the fracture surface of the composite hydrogels and the bonding situation between the BC nano-cellulose membrane and the PVA hydrogel were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The results show that the BC/PVA composite hydrogels have excellent mechanical properties

the tensile strength of the composite hydrogel reaches to 1.74 MPa

and the modulus reaches to 7.82 MPa

when the BC/PVA composite hydrogels are constituted by 15 wt% PVA and two layers of BC membranes.The SEM images show that the interface of the prepared composite hydrogels exhibits excellent bonding.