Surface area and water vapor sorption of macrocrystalline cellulose
G. Zografi, M. Kontny, A. Yang
1984
Citations
180
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
Full text
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Microcrystalline cellulose has a specific surface area of 1.3 m 2 /g, with its high values based on penetration into amorphous portions and interaction with individual anhydroglucose units.
Abstract
Abstract A review of the pharmaceutical literature revealed several inconsistencies and uncertainties in values obtained for the specific surface area of microcrystalline cellulose, as well as the proposed mechanisms of water vapor sorption. In the present study, using nitrogen and krypton adsorption following several methods of sample pretreatment, a value of 1.3 m 2 /g, with no evidence of extensive microporosity, was determined. The very high values of specific surface area reported for microcrystalline cellulose using water vapor were shown not to reflect a true surface area, but rather, it is felt, to reflect penetration into the amorphous portions of the cellulose structure and interaction with individual anhydroglucose units. Analysis of water vapor sorption isotherms indicated no apparent difference in the mechanism of sorption between various starches and celluloses, including microcrystalline cellulose, after accounting for the degree of cellulose crystallinity. It appears that water sorbed to such polymers most likely exists in at least 3 states: tightly bound to an anhydroglucose unit; less tightly bound; and bulk water.