Simple conditions for large morphological variations in thermoresponsive biopolymeric microstructures†
Abstract
Thermoresponsive biopolymeric microstructures are prepared by exploiting the thermal phase transitions of emulsified elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs). ELP microbeads prepared below the transition temperature (Tt) have positively thermoresponsive pores. ELP microcapsules prepared above Tt have negatively thermoresponsive pores. Interestingly, the ELP microcapsules prepared at the temperature of the transition state displayed bidirectional thermoresponsive behavior.