Cryogels of cellulose derivatives prepared via UV irradiation of moderately frozen systems

Cryogels of non-ionic (hydroxypropyl)methylcellulose, 2-hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose and cationic hydroxyethylcelluloses were prepared for the first time via UV irradiation of moderately frozen systems. The influence of the irradiation time, the concentration of the photoinitiator (4-benzoylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride, and the concentration of the polymer solution on the efficiency of the cross-linking process in moderately frozen systems was investigated. It was found that 2-min irradiation at an irradiation dose rate of 5.7 J/cm2 min is adequate for cross-linking of 3 wt.% polymer solutions resulting in high quality cryogel.