Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membrane Assisted Extrusion of Polymer Solutions for Hydrogel Formation

Abstract

The potential of polymeric nanostructures obtained by extruding polymer solutions through reusable anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanopores for the fabrication of nanostructures is investigated systematically to be able to unveil the potential impact of structure on cell culturing. Thus, nanostructured Na‐alginate and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymers as well as blended alginate/PVA hydrogels are fabricated. Na‐alginate and PVA fibers with different dimensions can be obtained. By extruding Na‐alginate solutions into a non‐solvent also networks of uniform nanofibers (diameter <20 nm) are generated. PVA forms agglomerations of nanofibers and nanoparticles with diameter >100 nm. In addition, cell line‐dependent behavior of the cross‐linked PVA/alginate nanofibers is observed, which is characterized by reduced cell adhesion and cluster formation of PaTu 8988t cells on these blend nanofibers compared to normal cell adhesive behavior of NIH 3T3 cells.