Surface composition and contact angle relationships for differently prepared solid dispersions

Solid dispersions are promising drug delivery forms which offer the possibility to disperse a hydrophobic drug in a hydrophilic matrix and thereby improve the dissolution behavior and the bioavailability of the drug. One important aspect and a prerequisite in understanding the drug dissolution mechanism from solid dispersions is a better analytical monitoring of the solid dispersion surface properties, such as powder surface composition and water adsorption properties. In this paper, we have considered chemical and structural surface analysis data for solid dispersions processed by spray drying or roto-evaporation and compared these data with information obtained by contact angle measurements. Firstly, we establish the usefulness and suitability of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for determination of surface chemical composition and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for determining the structure of solid dispersions composed of different types of carriers, drugs and drug concentrations. Secondly, we measure contact angles of solid dispersions to describe wettability, to finally establish a link between the surface chemical composition, the powder structure and the wetting behavior. These experimental methods offer a rapid screening tool for the selection of carrier, drug concentration and/or process in early development. In addition, they provide a useful tool for investigating structural aspects of solid dispersions which have intrinsic relevance for drug dissolution and stability.