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A tailored graphene supramolecular gel for pharmaceutical crystallization

  • 0State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 China zxydcom@ecust.edu.cn jon.steed@durham.ac.uk.
Chemical Science +

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March 31, 2025

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March 31, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel graphene-based supramolecular gel to control pharmaceutical crystallization. This advanced material, incorporating hydroxylated graphene, successfully altered drug polymorphs and reduced crystallization induction times for key pharmaceuticals.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Pharmaceutical Science

Background

  • Supramolecular gels offer tunable properties for controlled crystallization.
  • Graphene's unique characteristics can be leveraged to modify gel matrices.
  • Controlling pharmaceutical polymorphism is crucial for drug efficacy and safety.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To design and prepare a graphene-based supramolecular gel for pharmaceutical crystallization control.
  • To investigate the influence of graphene incorporation on gel properties and interactions.
  • To explore the use of hydroxylated graphene hybrid gels for modulating drug polymorphism.

Main Methods

  • Synthesis of pyrene-modified gelators and their noncovalent assembly with graphene.
  • Characterization of the graphene-incorporated supramolecular gel using fluorescence spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
  • Oxidative modification of graphene to hydroxylated graphene (Gr-OH) and its incorporation into the gel.
  • Crystallization studies of glycine, caffeine, and aripiprazole using the Gr-OH hybrid gels.

Main Results

  • A stable graphene-incorporated supramolecular nanocomposite gel was successfully prepared.
  • Gr-OH incorporation facilitated hydrogen bonding interactions with drug molecules.
  • Different polymorphs of glycine, caffeine, and aripiprazole were obtained compared to solution crystallization.
  • The hybrid gel significantly reduced the induction time for caffeine crystallization.

Conclusions

  • Graphene-based supramolecular gels provide an effective platform for controlling pharmaceutical crystallization processes.
  • Hydroxylated graphene hybrid gels enable tailored interactions for modulating drug polymorphs and crystallization kinetics.
  • This approach holds promise for developing advanced crystallization media in pharmaceutical manufacturing.