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Here, we report a simple method to produce hierarchically shaped polymeric one-dimensional nanostructures. More specifically, dual-sized polymer nanowires are fabricated employing multibranched anodic aluminum oxide templates. By fine selection of the anodization conditions, we achieve branched nanopores having a first segment of 400 nm in diameter from which seven further 55 nm in diameter pores arise. Wetting of such nanopores with polymer melts-for example, poly(ε-caprolactone) and polystyrene-allows for the nanomolding of their respective inverse nanostructures, that is, dual-sized multibranched polymer nanowires that, when supported on a flat surface, strongly resemble the spatulae of geckos' toes. The structural features of the dual-sized polymer nanostructures, namely, crystalline phase, crystallinity, texture, and so on, are furthermore characterized and interpreted within the context of polymer phase transitions in confined media. Our work presents a readily applicable approach to produce soft nanomaterials of high morphological complexity, thereby with promising implications in the nanotechnology area, for example, in biomimetic solid adhesion.

In the tissue engineering field, the design of the scaffold inspired on the natural occurring tissue is of vital importance. Ideally, the scaffold surface must promote cell growth and differentiation, while promote angiogenesis in the in vivo implant of the scaffold. On the other hand, the material selection must be biocompatible and the degradation times should meet tissue reparation times. In the present work, we developed a nanofibrous scaffold based on chitosan crosslinked with diisopropylfumarate-vinyl acetate copolymer using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. We have previously demonstrated its biocompatibility properties with low cytotoxicity and proper degradation times. Now, we extended our studies to demonstrate that it can be successfully nanostructured using the AAO templates methodology, obtaining a nanorod-like scaffold with a diameter comparable to those of collagen fibers of the bone matrix (170 and 300 nm). The nanorods obtained presented a very homogeneous pattern in diameter and length, and supports cell attachment and growth. We also found that both osteoblastic and chondroblastic matrix production were promoted on bone marrow progenitor cells and primary condrocytes growing on the scaffolds, respectively. In addition, the nanostructured scaffold presented no cytotoxicity as it was evaluated using a model of macrophages on culture. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 570-579, 2018., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Melt nanomolding of core-shell nanocylinders of different sizes, employing anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, is reported here for the first time. The core-shell nanostructures are achieved by a new melt double-infiltration technique. During the first infiltration step, polystyrene (PS) nanotubes are produced by an adequate choice of AAO nanopore diameter size. In the second step, PCL is infiltrated inside the PS nanotubes, as its melting point (and infiltration temperature) is lower than the glass transition temperature of PS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements verified the complete double-infiltration of the polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments show that the infiltrated PCL undergoes a confined fractionated crystallization with two crystallization steps located at temperatures that depend on which surface is in contact with the PCL nanocylinders (i.e., alumina or PS). The melt double-infiltration methodology represents a novel approach to study the effect of the surrounding surface on polymer crystallization under confinement.

β-Ketonitrile tautomeric copolymers have demonstrated tunable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity properties according to surrounding environment, and mechanical properties similar to those of human bone tissue. Both characteristic properties make them promising candidates as biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. Based on this knowledge we have designed two scaffolds based on β-ketonitrile tautomeric copolymers which differ in chemical composition and surface morphology. Two of them were nanostructured, using an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template, and the other two obtained by solvent casting methodology. They were used to evaluate the effect of the composition and their structural modifications on the biocompatibility, cytotoxicity and degradation properties. Our results showed that the nanostructured scaffolds exhibited higher degradation rate by macrophages than casted scaffolds (6 and 2.5% of degradation for nanostructured and casted scaffolds, respectively), a degradation rate compatible with bone regeneration times. We also demonstrated that the β-ketonitrile tautomeric based scaffolds supported osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation without cytotoxic effects, suggesting that these biomaterials could be useful in the bone tissue engineering field., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) dye molecules have been incorporated into transparent and porous SiO2 thin films prepared by evaporation at glancing angles. The porosity of these films has been assessed by analyzing their water adsorption isotherms measured for the films deposited on a quartz crystal monitor. Composite Rh6G/SiO2 thin films were prepared by immersion of a SiO2 thin film into a solution of the dye at a given pH. It is found that the amount of Rh6G molecules incorporated into the film is directly dependent on the pH of the solution and can be accounted for by a model based on the point of zero charge (PZC) concepts originally developed for colloidal oxides. At low pHs, the dye molecules incorporate in the form of monomers, while dimers or higher aggregates are formed if the pH increases. Depending on the actual preparation and treatment conditions, they also exhibit high relative fluorescence efficiency. The thermal stability of the composite films has been also investigated by characterizing their optical behavior after heating in an Ar atmosphere at increasing temperatures up to 275 degrees C. Heating induces a progressive loss of active dye molecules, a change in their agglomeration state, and an increment in their relative fluorescence efficiency. The obtained Rh6G/SiO2 composite thin films did not disperse the light and therefore can be used for integration into optical and photonic devices.