This study presents a new method for the preparation of organogels embedded with interconnected macropores tunable in size from 180 to 700 mu m. The gels are molded in porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) polymer templates obtained from melt-processed cocontinuous blends of PVOH and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). The blends are subsequently annealed under quiescent conditions to let their morphology coarsen, and are rendered porous by selectively extracting the PCL. After the injection in the PVOH molds and in situ gelling of a dilute solution of an organic liquid and a low molecular weight gelling agent, 12-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, the molds are extracted with water. This yields porous organogels with microstructural features corresponding relatively well to those of the original molds, as revealed by X-ray microtomography. This method allows control over the gels' average pore size, pore interconnectivity, and volume fraction, and is compatible with a variety of organic liquids and low molecular weight gelators.
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