Stimuli-responsive hierarchically self-assembled 3D porous polymer-based structures with aligned pores

J Mater Chem B. 2013 Apr 7;1(13):1786-1793. doi: 10.1039/c2tb00231k. Epub 2013 Jan 21.

Abstract

We have developed a novel approach for the fabrication of self-assembled porous materials with uniaxial tubular pores. The approach is based on the use of microtubes formed by stimuli-induced rolling of polymer bilayers consisting of hydrophobic and stimuli-responsive hydrophilic polymers. Different objects, for example yeast cells, can be encapsulated inside the tubes during their rolling. The self-rolled tubes filled with the yeast cells are capable of controlled self-assembly and form a uniaxial tubular homogeneously filled scaffold. Moreover, our approach allows design of porous materials with the pores having different properties.