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Nanostructured Hollow Tubes Based on Chitosan and Alginate Multilayers
Author(s) -
Silva Joana M.,
Duarte Ana Rita C.,
Custódio Catarina A.,
Sher Praveen,
Neto Ana I.,
Pinho António C. M.,
Fonseca Jaime,
Reis Rui L.,
Mano João F.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.201300265
Subject(s) - materials science , dynamic mechanical analysis , differential scanning calorimetry , genipin , polyelectrolyte , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , polymer , chitosan , tissue engineering , adhesion , viscoelasticity , cell encapsulation , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , composite material , swelling , self healing hydrogels , biomedical engineering , polymer chemistry , medicine , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
The design and production of structures with nanometer‐sized polymer films based on layer‐by‐layer (LbL) are of particular interest for tissue engineering since they allow the precise control of physical and biochemical cues of implantable devices. In this work, a method is developed for the preparation of nanostructured hollow multilayers tubes combining LbL and template leaching. The aim is to produce hollow tubes based on polyelectrolyte multilayer films with tuned physical‐chemical properties and study their effects on cell behavior. The final tubular structures are characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), microscopy, swelling, and mechanical tests, including dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in physiological simulated conditions. It is found that more robust films could be produced upon chemical cross‐linking with genipin. In particular, the mechanical properties confirms the viscoelastic properties and a storage and young modulus about two times higher. The water uptake decreases from about 390% to 110% after the cross‐linking. The biological performance is assessed in terms of cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. The results obtained with the cross‐linked tubes demonstrate that these are more suitable structures for cell adhesion and spreading. The results suggest the potential of these structures to boost the development of innovative tubular structures for tissue engineering approaches.