Studies of interaction phenomena in aqueous-based film coatings containing soluble additives using thermal analysis...

Interaction phenomena, in aqueous-based hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film-coating formulations containing water-soluble additives (citric acid and urea) have been examined by thermal methods to assess glass transition, softening, melting, plasticization, and crystallinity. The methods used were differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) in penetration and expansion modes. In addition to the established thermal transitions occurring in HPMC and PVA at relatively high temperatures, transitions were also observed between 26 and 43 degrees C using TMA. These low temperature transitions, unlike those occurring at the higher temperatures, were low energy transitions and not influenced by the type and concentration of the additives incorporated. The results also showed that the plasticizing activities of citric acid and urea were as high as those of some currently used plasticizers. On a weight basis, urea was superior to citric acid as a plasticizer for either HPMC or PVA, but when their molar contents were considered, the position was reversed. Also, PVA crystallinity was depressed in the presence of the additives.