Porous Polymer Microneedles with Superhydrophilic Surface for Rapid Fluid Transport

Microneedles are extensively used in the field of drug deliveries and disease treatment. Cellulose porous microneedles were fabricated using the cellulose acetate phase separation method followed by a deacetylation process. The developed cellulose microneedles were tested for porosity, mechanical strength, penetration, and surface hydrophobicity. The porosity of cellulose microneedles increased by approximately 15%, while the Young’s modulus, indicative of mechanical strength, increased by approximately 30% compared with cellulose acetate microneedles before the deacetylation process. The cellulose microneedles easily penetrated the sample skin, making it a potential tool for transdermal drug delivery. The developed cellulose microneedles exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity in comparison to cellulose acetate microneedles. The increased hydrophilicity of the developed microneedles positions them as promising tools for efficient interstitial fluid extraction. These characteristics not only make them suitable for drug delivery but also highlights their potential as biosensors.