Hydrogels of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) synthesized by radiation-induced crosslinking of homopolymers

pH-sensitive PVP–PAA hydrogels have been prepared by electron-beam-induced irradiation at pH close to pKa of carboxylic groups. Protonation of these groups promoted the formation of hydrogen bonds between the PAA and PVP segments within the crosslinked structure and caused interpolymer complex formation. To demonstrate possible future application of such gels, we tested them as simple chemical detectors. When loaded with glucose oxidase, the PAA–PVP gel's turbidity and shrinkage was triggered by the presence of glucose due to a drop in pH caused by the enzymatic reaction.