A method of forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels including reacting, in the presence of an acid, compounds containing a thiol functional group and a hydroxyl reactive group with one or more hydroxyl groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) via said hydroxyl reactive group, thereby forming thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol). The method further including reacting the thiol functional group of said compounds with a thiol reactive group of a crosslinker, thereby forming a hydrogel.
