Our previous studies have proven that the freestanding was an efficient means of transferring the thin film from solid substrate to various other surfaces. Herein, a serious of freestanding porous PLA thin films were fabricated by several methods, including nanoparticle-patterned substrate system, polymer - polymer blend system, and polymer - solvent - poor solvent system. The shape, size, density, and even the proportion of pores penetrating the film could be controlled. In total, the thickness of the PLA thin films could be adjusted in the range from ~20 to ~1000 nm and the pore diameter with controllable density (~10-2 to ~102 pore/�m2) from tens of nanometer to microscale were prepared. Indeed, these methods are proven versatile and robust, which can be easily used for other polymers. Moreover, the availability of a freestanding perforated PLA thin film with controllable pores will be of immense value in a number of potential applications.

Fabrication methods of freestanding porous polymer thin films

245th National Meeting (2013)

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