The present invention discloses a self standing network or scaffold of nanoparticles with controllably variable mesh size between 500 nm and 1 mm having particle volume fraction between 0.5 to 50%. The network comprises nanoparticles, a surfactant capable of forming ordered structured phases and a cross linking agent, wherein the surfactant is washed off leaving the self standing scaffold. The invention further discloses the process for preparing the self standing scaffolds and uses thereof.