Research on the Preparation of Polycaprolactone Porous Films with Decoration of Protein Arrays via the Emulsion‐Based Breath Figure Method

• Published in: Macromolecular chemistry and physics Vol. 219; no. 6
• Main Authors: Ding, Lingyun, Sun, Wei, Ju, Yuanlai, Cui, Pengcheng, Wang, Siyu, Huang, Junjie, Zhou, Wanrong, Zhu, Jiafeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; biocompatible; Chitosan; chitosan particles; Chloroform; emulsion‐based breath figure method; Holes; Honeycomb construction; Polycaprolactone; protein patterns; Proteins; Substrates
• ISSN: 1022-1352; 1521-3935
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201700500

A facile method to fabricate honeycomb‐patterned biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) films with cavities that are selectively decorated with protein by one‐step method is developed in this study. To carry out this method, proteins carried in water are dispersed into chloroform solution of PCL to form inverse emulsion with the assistance of the chitosan particles serving as emulsifier. The evaporation of the organic solvent in the inverse emulsion on substrate under a high‐humidity atmosphere leads to the formation of ordered porous arrays incorporated with proteins on the inner surface of the cavities. The method, based on the combination of breath figures and inverse emulsion template, provides a reliable route for the directed assembly of water‐soluble materials into patterned polymer matrix. It has the potential to be further established as a novel procedure to fabricate a multifunctional hybrid porous structure containing hydrophilic component based on the breath figure method. Chitosan particle‐stabilized inverse emulsion containing the protein in the emulsion droplet is prepared as casting solution for breath figures procedure. The obtained honeycomb‐structured pore arrays are proven to be successfully decorated with oriented assembled proteins as well as chitosan particles. Protein arrays with ring‐like morphology are conveniently fabricated using this one‐step technique, which combines the breath figures with inverse emulsion.