We have a large interest in biomimetic polymers which can control ice growth, inspired by ice-binding ‘antifreeze’ proteins. We have previously shown that poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, is remarkably potent at reproducing the ice recrystallisation inhibition of PVA. However, PVA synthesis is not easy, and gives low yields. Here the team used a photo-chemical method allow PVA to be obtained open to air (no degassing) to high conversion (no wastage of monomer) and removing the need for messy oil baths! This method really simplifies the process, and using a photo reactor is also less energy intensive and does not need azo-initiators. Our team then showed that these polymers retain their function to slow ice growth over 100 freeze/thaw cycles. This is a crucial, if they are to be used in e.g infrastructure applications, where materials like concrete are exposed to many freeze/thaw cycles over several years. It has been previously suggested that PVA aggregation (as PVA is known to cryo-gelate at concentrations above ~ 50 mg/mL) would de-activate it, but in the concentration range for IRI activity (< 1 mg/mL) this was not a problem

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