A novel silk fibroin scaffolds with oriented multichannels

• We prepared silk fibroin scaffolds with oriented multichannels by directional temperature field freezing technique.
• Molecule conformation of the scaffold with oriented channels was adjusted via an “easy” approach ice growth in direction.
• Micro or nano ridges of the scaffolds were formed by directional temperature field freezing technique.

Silk fibroin (SF) scaffold with uniaxial channels was prepared by directional temperature field freezing technique. The scaffold morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy and structures of the scaffold were examined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis. The results indicated that β-sheet content of the scaffolds with oriented channels was more than that of control group. The directional growth of ice crystal could shear and draft to the silk fibroin molecule segments, which resulted in the new crystal nucleus formation in new zone and increase of β-sheet component. Dependent on this approach, the new oriented multichannel scaffolds were fabricated.