Formation of multi-layered chitosan honeycomb spheres via breath-figure-like approach in combination with co-precipitation processing

Highly ordered, multi-layered, regular hexagonally patterned and size controlled honeycomb magnetic chitosan hydrogel beads were successfully fabricated by a facile method combining breath-figure templating and co-precipitation processing. The chitosan honeycomb beads were characterized and the unique structure formation mechanism was outlined. The diameter of pores in the hexagonally patterned structure was similar to 10 mu m, and the saturation magnetization of the chitosan honeycomb containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles (ca. 5 +/- 2 nm) was around 12 emu/g. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.