Advanced structural characterisation of pharmaceuticals using nano-thermal analysis (nano-TA)

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Characterizing nanoscale drug delivery systems, particularly solid dosage forms, requires advanced tools to understand physicochemical properties.
• Surface heterogeneity in these systems poses challenges for traditional analysis methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the principles, techniques, and pharmaceutical applications of nano-thermal analysis (nano-TA).
• To highlight nano-TA as a solution for high-resolution characterization of solid-state drug delivery systems.
• To introduce the integration of nano-TA with infrared spectroscopy.

Main Methods:

• Nano-thermal analysis (nano-TA), a hybrid technique combining atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermal analysis.
• AFM provides physical property data.
• Thermal analysis integrated with AFM offers thermal behavior insights.

Main Results:

• Nano-TA provides high spatial resolution analysis of physicochemical properties for heterogeneous samples.
• It enables monitoring of manufacturability, processability, performance (dissolution), and stability.
• The combination with infrared spectroscopy offers an expanded analytical dimension.

Conclusions:

• Nano-TA is a powerful tool for comprehensive characterization of nanoscale solid dosage forms.
• It addresses critical needs in pharmaceutical development and quality control.
• Future developments in nano-TA hold promise for further advancements in material characterization.