Microscale Rockets and Picoliter Containers Engineered from Electrospun Polymeric Microtubes

The fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable hollow microcylinders is reported. The hollow microcylinders, made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO), are obtained by coelectrospinning, followed by a cryosectioning step to prepare microtubes with defined aspect ratios. The obtained microtubes maintain their coaxial compartmentalization, which allows for selective chemical modification of the luminal walls either via chemical reactions or via physical adsorption of proteins. The control over the inner surface chemistry allows for binding of different markers specifi cally to the cavity walls using a variety of chemical reactions, and to adsorb enzymes and metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), which can support catalytic reactions inside the cavity. Coupling electrospun fibers with MNPs holds high promise for different applications including antimicrobial agents, charge collection media, and catalysis.