Stable 3D hierarchical scaffolds by origami approach: Effect of interfacial crosslinking by nanohybrid shish-kebab assemblies

Abstract

3D highly porous architectures with tailored flexibility along with dimensional stability are currently an emerging area due to a wide range of technological applications. We have highlighted here the importance of mechanical and thermal stability of the building blocks and interfacial bonding for development of such scaffolds. 2D electrospun free-standing nanofibrous mats of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with different molecular weights were used to study the properties of basic foundation units. The nanohybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) type polycaprolactone (PCL) crosslinked networks were grown between the stacked nanofibrous mat for better bindings among the layers. Carbon nanotubes were further introduced into PET nanofibers as well as in binder envelop layers in order to insight into the properties of thermal and structural stability. The presence of different confined 1D nucleating surface like nanotubes and nanofibers gives us the opportunity to study interpenetrating NHSK lamellae at different length scale. A range of crosslinked scaffold microstructures by origami route were investigated to highlight the importance of process design for fabrication of dimensionally robust porous geometries.