Preparation of Hyaluronic‐Acid‐Based Microspherical Particles with Tunable Morphology Using a Spray Method on a Superhydrophobic Surface

Abstract

AbstractHyaluronic acid (HA) gel microspheres have advantages in the application of hydrogel injections due to their uniform size and shape. The HA microspheres are typically prepared using oil‐emulsion methods, which often use toxic solvents, or spray methods involving dehydration, which can negatively affect the properties of the hydrogel. In this study, an alternative fabrication method that avoids the use of solvents or dehydration is introduced. A poly‐dimethylsiloxane template is micro‐patterned to mimic the papillae structure of the lotus leaf which has superhydrophobicity. Glycidyl‐methacrylate HA solution is sprayed on the superhydrophobic template followed by photocrosslinking the droplet to produce spherical shapes of HA hydrogel particles. Gel particles with diverse shapes are formed, with the shapes depending on the arrangement of the papillae and surface hydrophobicity. As a result, microspherical particles with aspect ratios greater than 0.8 are produced.