Dispersity and stability of foams obtained from poly(vinyl alcohol) solution and the properties of resulting foamed cryogels

Foams have been generated from aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution by two different methods: dispersion (mechanical) method, i.e., by bubbling a gas through a porous medium into the aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution, and the condensation (chemical) method, i.e., by performing a gas-generating reaction directly in the polymer solution. The effect of the formation method on foam stability and dispersity has been studied. The foam produced by the condensation method of foaming the aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution with nitrogen is more stable and finely dispersed and has a higher expansion ratio than that obtained by bubbling the gas through the polymer solution. Foamed cryogels have been formed by freezing-thawing the foam resulting from the chemical reaction in the polymer solution. The values of the elasticity modulus, melting temperature, and thermal conductivity of the cryogels have been determined.