Review article

https://doi.org/10.1515/acph-2016-0032

Application of instrumented nanoindentation in preformulation studies of pharmaceutical active ingredients and excipients

MATEJA EGART ; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
BILJANA JANKOVIĆ ; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
STANE SRČIČ ; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Nanoindentation allows quantitative determination of a material’s response to stress such as elastic and plastic deformation or fracture tendency. Key instruments that have enabled great advances in nanomechanical studies are the instrumented nanoindenter and atomic force microscopy. The versatility of these instruments lies in their capability to measure local mechanical response, in very small volumes and depths, while monitoring time, displacement and force with high accuracy and precision.
This review highlights the application of nanoindentation for mechanical characterization of pharmaceutical materials in the preformulation phase (primary investigation of crystalline active ingredients and excipients). With nanoindentation, mechanical response can be assessed with respect to crystal structure. The technique is valuable for mechanical screening of a material at an early development phase in order to predict and better control the processes in which a material is exposed to stress such as milling and compression.

Keywords

instrumented nanoindentation; mechanical properties; Youngʼs modulus; indentation hardness; fracture toughness; crystalline active ingredients and excipients

Hrčak ID:

154687

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/154687

Publication date:

30.9.2016.

Visits: 2.690 *