Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a versatile synthetic polymer used in the design of hydrogels, membranes, and films. It is water-soluble, non-toxic, and has excellent mechanical properties, chemical inertness, and stability in biological fluids. However, pure PVA has limited flexibility, poor biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which restrict its use. When combined with other polymers, biomolecules, or inorganic/organic compounds, PVA's shortcomings are improved, and new functionalities are achieved. Recent advances in PVA-based hydrogels focus on enhancing their properties through various preparation methods, including physical and chemical crosslinking, and their applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields. PVA hydrogels are prepared using methods such as repeated freezing/thawing (FT), non-cryogenic physical gelation, and chemical crosslinking. FT methods involve freezing and thawing PVA solutions to form porous networks, while non-cryogenic methods use dehydration or other techniques to create hydrogels. Chemical crosslinking involves forming covalent bonds between PVA chains, improving mechanical strength and stability. These methods allow for the creation of hydrogels with tunable properties, such as stiffness, porosity, and mechanical strength. PVA-based hydrogels have various applications, including wound dressings, tissue engineering, and sensors. They are suitable for wound dressings due to their flexibility, biocompatibility, and ability to retain moisture. In tissue engineering, PVA hydrogels can mimic the properties of natural tissues, such as articular cartilage. They are also used in sensors for detecting mechanical strain or biological signals. Additionally, PVA hydrogels are used in environmental applications, such as water filtration and wastewater treatment. Recent studies have focused on improving the properties of PVA hydrogels through the use of crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde, and the incorporation of other materials, such as cellulose, chitosan, and metal nanoparticles. These modifications enhance the mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and functionality of PVA hydrogels. The development of multifunctional PVA hydrogels is a key challenge in materials science, with ongoing research aimed at creating materials with improved performance in various applications.Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a versatile synthetic polymer used in the design of hydrogels, membranes, and films. It is water-soluble, non-toxic, and has excellent mechanical properties, chemical inertness, and stability in biological fluids. However, pure PVA has limited flexibility, poor biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which restrict its use. When combined with other polymers, biomolecules, or inorganic/organic compounds, PVA's shortcomings are improved, and new functionalities are achieved. Recent advances in PVA-based hydrogels focus on enhancing their properties through various preparation methods, including physical and chemical crosslinking, and their applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and environmental fields. PVA hydrogels are prepared using methods such as repeated freezing/thawing (FT), non-cryogenic physical gelation, and chemical crosslinking. FT methods involve freezing and thawing PVA solutions to form porous networks, while non-cryogenic methods use dehydration or other techniques to create hydrogels. Chemical crosslinking involves forming covalent bonds between PVA chains, improving mechanical strength and stability. These methods allow for the creation of hydrogels with tunable properties, such as stiffness, porosity, and mechanical strength. PVA-based hydrogels have various applications, including wound dressings, tissue engineering, and sensors. They are suitable for wound dressings due to their flexibility, biocompatibility, and ability to retain moisture. In tissue engineering, PVA hydrogels can mimic the properties of natural tissues, such as articular cartilage. They are also used in sensors for detecting mechanical strain or biological signals. Additionally, PVA hydrogels are used in environmental applications, such as water filtration and wastewater treatment. Recent studies have focused on improving the properties of PVA hydrogels through the use of crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde, and the incorporation of other materials, such as cellulose, chitosan, and metal nanoparticles. These modifications enhance the mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and functionality of PVA hydrogels. The development of multifunctional PVA hydrogels is a key challenge in materials science, with ongoing research aimed at creating materials with improved performance in various applications.