{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,10]],"date-time":"2026-10-10T04:50:21Z","timestamp":1791607821848,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":29,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]],"date-time":"2026-02-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1772236800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Research Institute of Rangsit University","award":["82\/2563"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["82\/2563"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Bacterial cellulose (BC) is highly valued for biomedical and industrial applications due to its exceptional biocompatibility, strength, and biodegradability. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) exhibits favorable characteristics, making it an ideal candidate for hydrogel formulation. In this study, BC\u2013PVA composite hydrogels were synthesized by dissolving 1% w\/w BC in ZnCl2 3H2O and 10% w\/w PVA in ZnCl2nH2O, n = 6, 9, 12, and 15. These solutions were combined at BC:PVA weight ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3, then crosslinking using a glutaraldehyde\u2013acetone solution before immersion in deionized water. The resulting hydrogels exhibited a dense, tightly packed structure with mild to moderate porosity. FTIR analysis confirmed molecular interactions via a broad, reduced O\u2013H stretching band and the appearance of C-H bending vibrations. The water content and swelling ratio ranged from 88.13% to 94.67% and 437.93% to 997.22%, respectively. At a compressive strain of 30%, the compressive strength ranged from 62.28 kPa to 93.16 kPa. This work introduces a novel and efficient method for preparing BC-PVA hydrogels using ZnCl2 hydrate solvents. Both the ZnCl2 hydration level and the BC:PVA ratio significantly influenced the structural, water content, swelling, and mechanical properties, offering tunable materials for biomedical or industrial applications.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels12030203","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,2]],"date-time":"2026-03-02T10:24:34Z","timestamp":1772447074000},"page":"203","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Preparation and Characterization of Bacterial Cellulose\u2013Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Hydrogels Using ZnCl2 Hydrates as Solvent"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7829-9661","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Woradej","family":"Pichaiaukrit","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Dental Medicine, Rangsit University, 52\/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Road, Lak-Hok, Muang, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0293-765X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Theerapat","family":"Chanamuangkon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Biomaterial Testing Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, 34 Henri-Dunant Road, Wangmai, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sujin","family":"Chumprasert","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oral Biology Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, 34 Henri-Dunant Road, Wangmai, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-6210-7415","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pannagorn","family":"Sae-ear","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Oral Biology Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, 34 Henri-Dunant Road, Wangmai, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5105-0460","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pichit","family":"Boonkrong","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Biomedical Engineering, Rangsit University, 52\/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Road, Lak-Hok, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anuchan","family":"Panaksri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Biomedical Engineering, Rangsit University, 52\/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Road, Lak-Hok, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2871-8159","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nuttapol","family":"Tanadchangsaeng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Biomedical Engineering, Rangsit University, 52\/347 Muang-Ake, Phaholyothin Road, Lak-Hok, Pathumthani 12000, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e55163","DOI":"10.1002\/app.55163","article-title":"Bacterial cellulose: A comprehensive review","volume":"141","author":"Girard","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. 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