Multilayers as 3D nanostructured porous constructs

In this work, the authors propose to explore the binding potential of nonostructured multilayers produced by layer-bylayer self-assembly based on perfusion technique, which was otherwise limited to coating only. Random spherical wax templates of same size were transformed into moldable soft three-dimensional (3D) core material with different external geometries. Placement of template spheres with different sizes by sequential stacking along multiple space axes in a single construct induced internal variations leading to different patterns. Stable porous interconnected nanostructured soft 3D macroconstructs made of natural based polyelectrolytes with a controlled external shape and different internal patterns were developed after removing wax template. Such highly porous structures with hierarchical organization could be used, for example, as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.Praveen Sher is grateful for the financial support from FCT postdoc fellowship SFRH/BPD/489948/2008. The research, leading to these results, has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no NMP4-SL-2009-229292. This work was partially supported by "Fundacao para a Ciencia Technologia" (Portugal) under project PTDC/QUI/68804/2006. Also discussions with Gabriela Martins are highly appreciated