Direct ink writing
(DIW) is a customizable platform to engineer
complex constructs from biobased colloids. However, the latter usually
display strong interactions with water and lack interparticle connectivity,
limiting one-step processing into hierarchically porous structures.
We overcome such challenges by using low-solid emulgel inks stabilized
by chitin nanofibrils (nanochitin, NCh). By using complementary characterization
platforms, we reveal NCh structuring into spatially controlled three-dimensional
(3D) materials that generate multiscale porosities defined by emulsion
droplet size, ice templating, and DIW infill density. The extrusion
variables, key in the development of surface and mechanical features
of printed architectures, are comprehensively analyzed by using molecular
dynamics and other simulation approaches. The obtained scaffolds are
shown for their hierarchical porous structures, high areal density,
and surface stiffness, which lead to excellent modulation of cell
adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, as tested with mouse
dermal fibroblast expressing green fluorescent proteins.