Double-layered gels, consisting of hydroxyethylcellulose cryogel core and poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogel shell, were synthesized with u.v. irradiation, using the same photoinitiator, (4-benzoylbenzyl) trimethylammoniumchloride (BBTMAC) for the both layers. The gels were characterized by measuring their rheological parameters, gel fraction yield, the degree of equilibrium swelling and diffusion coefficient. The diffusion coefficients for glucose and ethanol through the hydroxyethylcellulose cryogel were 3.9 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s and 0.97 x 10(-5) cm(2)/s, respectively. The applicability of these double-layered gels as carriers for immobilization was investigated by entrapment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. The immobilization efficiency and cell retention were determined in batch fermentation for ethanol production from glucose. The operational stability of the gels was evaluated in batch fermentation with three consecutive runs. The ethanol yield was in the range from 60% to 77% of the theoretical yield. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.