Abstract Interconnected microcellular polymeric monoliths having unexpected high mechanical strength have been prepared using the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) methodology. Oil-in water concentrated emulsions of aqueous 1-vinyl-5-amino [1, 2, 3, 4] tetrazole (1-VAT) mixed with a low molar ratio (7%) of N, N′-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinking agent were prepared using dodecane as dispersed phase and a mixture of ...