Poly(vinyl alcohol)/BaSO₄ hybrid fibers with radiopaque properties

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is extensively investigated as a matrix of organic/inorganic composite. PVA particles are the most commonly reported embolic agent. Barium, one of the radiopaque inorganic materials, can provide PVA with radiopaque property by blending of PVA and BaSO₄. The filtered and deaerated PVA/BaCh solutions were extruded into Na ₂SO₄ coagulation bath through a nozzle by an air pressure. BaSO₄ was synthesized by the reaction between BaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄ in the coagulation bath, in which PVA solution was also solidified at the same time. In XRD, the introduction of BaSO₄ into PVA fibers reduced the inherent peak of PVA fibers. In angiographic observation, PVA/BaSO₄hybrids fibers exhibited the clear contrast images which become clear with an increase in BaSO₄ content.