Nanoporous polymeric structures: Fabrication and applications in biosensing and drug delivery

In this paper, we demonstrate the utilization of an interferometrically created nanoporous polymeric structure as a platform for biosensing and drug delivery applications. Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-functionalized nanoporous polymeric gratings was fabricated by combining holographic interference patterning and APTES-functionalization of pre-polymer syrup. The successful detection of multiple biomolecules indicates that the biofunctionalized nanoporous polymeric gratings can act as biosensing platforms which are label-free, inexpensive, and applicable as high-throughput assays. In addition, high-porosity nanoporous polymer thin films were fabricated and used as drug carrier. Our results proved the possibility of using the nanoporous polymer thin films in drug delivery applications.