A Study of Sulfamerazine Single Crystals Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Transmission Light Microscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy

Sulfamerazine (SMZ) Form I and II single crystals were prepared from aqueous dispersions of SMZ bulk samples and studied using several microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Transmission light microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to observe and identify single crystals. The results indicated that Form I single crystals tended to be rectangular laths while Form II ones tended to be hexagonal laths. Surface morphology of individual single crystals was further investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images revealed a smooth top surface, a uniform height, and sharp edges for both forms of single crystals. Both height and phase images showed crystalline terraces with different step heights for the top surface of Form I. Surface properties of single crystals were evaluated using AFM force measurements. Experimental results indicated that the top surface of Form I single crystals was more hydrophilic than that of Form II. Theoretical calculations predicted a dominant crystal face of (020) for the Form I single crystals and (002) for the Form II ones. The correlations between calculation predictions and experimental results were discussed. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.