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Surface analysis of powder binary mixtures with ATR FTIR spectroscopy
Odon Planinsek1, Daniela Planinsek, Anamarija Zega
1University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Askerceva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|May 30, 2006
Summary
Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy effectively analyzes powder mixture surfaces. It quantifies component distribution, revealing how particle size and surface area influence surface composition, crucial for process analytical technology (PAT).
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pharmaceutical Technology
Background:
- Surface analysis of powder mixtures is critical for understanding product performance and manufacturing processes.
- Traditional methods may not accurately capture surface composition due to particle segregation.
- Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy offers a potential solution for detailed surface analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface composition of powder mixtures using ATR FTIR spectroscopy.
- To quantify the surface concentration of components and correlate it with mass ratios.
- To explore the influence of particle size and distribution on surface segregation in powder mixtures.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR FTIR) spectroscopy for surface analysis.
- Prepared powder mixtures with varying component ratios (0-100% in 10% increments).
- Employed visual observation and Beer-Lambert law for quantitative and semi-quantitative analysis of surface concentrations.
Main Results:
- ATR FTIR successfully quantified surface component enrichment or depletion compared to bulk composition.
- Visual observations of colored mixtures correlated well with spectroscopic data.
- Non-linear peak height-concentration relationships were explained by particle size distribution and specific surface area effects.
- Finer particles were found to significantly influence surface properties.
Conclusions:
- ATR FTIR spectroscopy is a valuable tool for studying powder mixture surfaces and component distribution.
- Particle size and specific surface area play a crucial role in surface segregation.
- The findings support the application of ATR FTIR in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for real-time monitoring and control.
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