Supermacroporous polymer cryogels

This review summarizes the recent achievements in preparation of various supermacroporous polymer cryogels via UV-induced crosslinking in partly frozen systems. The method is equally effective for the formation of cryogels from both water-soluble high molar mass linear polymers and vinyl monomers. Special attention is paid to some novel materials based on biodegradable and/or stimuli-respmisive polymers and their application in some emerging fields, as well as the fabrication of nanocomposites with intriguing properties. 

Supermacroporous carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer nanocomposites based on various polymer cryogels have been prepared via photocrosslinking of either polymer or monomer precursors [26, 27]. The two different strategies described above were exploited to fabricate foam-like materials (aerogels) with CNTs located either in the cryogel walls or on the cryogel inner surface (Fig. 18). 

Cryogels are supermacroporous materials with a network of interconnected pores of diameters from a few micrometers up to 100 pm. This makes such structures attractive when dealing with particulate-containing fluids such as crude cell homogenates or even cell suspensions. Furthermore, it is possible to produce cryogels without use of toxic chemicals, and the gels may be produced from biocompatible polymers. 

Baydemir G, Bereli N, Andac M, Say R, Galaev lY, Denizli A (2009) Supermacroporous poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) based cryogel with embedded bilirubin imprinted particles. React Funct Polym 69 36-42... 

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