Preparation and Property Study of Polyvinyl Alcohol–Based Hydrogels Loaded With Traditional Chinese Medicine for Textile Applications

ABSTRACT This study addresses the limitations of drug‐carrying gels regarding mechanical properties, process complexity, and slow‐release control by developing a green, nonpolluting, high‐toughness hydrogel for traditional Chinese medicine that exhibits excellent slow‐release properties. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) hydrogels, along with various ratios of PVA/HACC (hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan) hydrogels and PVA/HACC/CNW (cellulose nanowhisker) hydrogels, were prepared using a cyclic freeze–thaw method. The results indicated that the maximum tensile strength of the composite hydrogel reached 0.845 MPa, and its toughness was measured at 113.38 MJ/m 3 , demonstrating superior mechanical properties. Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), selected for its low toxicity and excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, served as the model drug. The drug‐loaded composite hydrogels exhibited a highly porous structure, where the increased HACC content led to larger pore sizes and enhanced drug release rates. Overall, the findings suggest that these drug‐carrying gels possess favorable mechanical properties and exceptional drug release capabilities, indicating their significant potential for drug delivery applications.