Title:Amorphous or Crystalline? A Comparison of Particle Engineering Methods and Selection
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 40
Author(s):Sachin G. Thakkar, Kristin Fathe and Hugh D.C. Smyth
Affiliation:Division of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, TX 78712, Austin, USA.
Keywords:Amorphous, crystalline, glass transition temperature, spectroscopy, particle engineering.
Abstract:This review is intended to provide a critical account of the current goals and technologies of particle engineering
regarding the production of crystalline and amorphous particles. The technologies discussed here cover
traditional crystallization technologies, supercritical fluid technologies, spray drying, controlled solvent crystallization,
and sonocrystallization. Also recent advancements in particle engineering including spray freezing into liquid,
thin-film freeze-drying, PRINT technology are presented. The paper also examines the merits and limitations of
these technologies with respect to their methods of characterization. Additionally a section discussing the utility of
creating amorphous and crystalline formulation approaches in regards to bioavailability and utility in formulation is
presented.
