Thermosensitive solutions and gels consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and sodium silicate

We have investigated the transparency for visible light of a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) aqueous solution in the presence of sodium silicates (SS). The transparency of the aqueous solution dramatically changed by varying temperature despite that neither aqueous solutions of PVA nor SS is sensitive to temperature. The aqueous solution showed a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 30 °C. The LCST depended on both concentrations of PVA and sodium silicate. Below the LCST, the transmittance was thermally irreversible. By a further increase in the temperature, the solution was separated into two phases consisting of a phase rich in solvent and that in solute; that is a coacervation. In the region of coacervation, the transmittance was thermally reversible. Reversible change in the transmittance was realized corresponding to stepwise temperature changes between 10 and 40 °C. A PVA gel swollen by the solution demonstrated transparency change in response to temperature changes as well as the solution.