Facile In Situ Assembly of Nanofibers within Three-Dimensional Porous Matrices with Arbitrary Characteristics for Creating Biomimetic Architectures

Linpeng Fan, Zengxiao Cai, Jian Zhao, Xungai Wang, Jing Liang Li

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

It is challenging to recapitulate the natural extracellular matrix’s hierarchical nano/microfibrous three-dimensional (3D) structure with multilevel pores, good mechanical and hydrophilic properties, and excellent bioactivity for designing and developing advanced biomimetic materials. This work reports a new facile strategy for the scalable manufacturing of such a 3D architecture. Natural polymers in an aqueous solution are interpenetrated into a 3D microfibrous matrix with arbitrary shapes and property characteristics to self-assemble in situ into a nanofibrous network. The collagen fiber-like hierarchical structure and interconnected multilevel pores are achieved by self-assembly of the formed nanofibers within the 3D matrix, triggered by a simple cross-linking treatment. The as-prepared alginate/polypropylene biomimetic matrices are bioactive and have a tunable mechanical property (compressive modulus from ∼17 to ∼24 kPa) and a tunable hydrophilicity (water contact angle from ∼94° to 63°). This facile and versatile strategy allows eco-friendly and scalable manufacturing of diverse biomimetic matrices or modification of any existing porous matrices using different polymers.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNano Letters
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2023

Keywords

  • alginate/gelatin nanofibers
  • biomimetic structure
  • collagen fibers
  • extracellular matrix
  • self-assembly
  • silk fibroin nanofibers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering

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