The effect of different plasticizer molecular weights and concentrations on mechanical and thermomechanical properties of free films

Orodispersible Films: Current Innovations and Emerging Trends

Orodispersible films (ODFs) are thin, mechanically strong, and flexible polymeric films that are designed to dissolve or disintegrate rapidly in the oral cavity for local and/or systemic drug delivery. This review examines various aspects of ODFs and their potential as a drug delivery system. Recent advancements, including the detailed exploration of formulation components, such as polymers and plasticizers, are briefed. The review highlights the versatility of preparation methods, particularly the solvent-casting production process, and novel 3D printing techniques that bring inherent flexibility. Three-dimensional printing technology not only diversifies active compounds but also enables a multilayer approach, effectively segregating incompatible drugs. The integration of nanoparticles into ODF formulations marks a significant breakthrough, thus enhancing the efficiency of oral drug delivery and broadening the scope of the drugs amenable to this route. This review also sheds light on the diverse in vitro evaluation methods utilized to characterize ODFs, ongoing clinical trials, approved marketed products, and recent patents, providing a comprehensive outlook of the evolving landscape of orodispersible drug delivery. Current patient-centric approaches involve developing ODFs with patient-friendly attributes, such as improved taste masking, ease of administration, and enhanced patient compliance, along with the personalization of ODF formulations to meet individual patient needs. Investigating novel functional excipients with the potential to enhance the permeation of high-molecular-weight polar drugs, fragile proteins, and oligonucleotides is crucial for rapid progress in the advancing domain of orodispersible drug delivery.

Development of an immediate release excipient composition for 3D printing via direct powder extrusion in a hospital

3D printing offers the possibility to prepare personalized tablets on demand, making it an intriguing technology for hospital pharmacies. For the implementation of 3D-printed tablets into the digital Closed Loop Medication Management system, the required tablet formulation and development of the manufacturing process as well as the pharmaceutical validation were conducted. The goal of the formulation development was to enable an optimal printing process and rapid dissolution of the printed tablets for the selected model drugs Levodopa/Carbidopa. The 3D printed tablets were prepared by direct powder extrusion. Printability, thermal properties, disintegration, dissolution, physical properties and storage stability were investigated by employing analytical methods such as HPLC-UV, DSC and TGA. The developed formulation shows a high dose accuracy and an immediate drug release for Levodopa. In addition, the tablets exhibit high crushing strength and very low friability. Unfortunately, Carbidopa did not tolerate the printing process. This is the first study to develop an immediate release excipient composition via direct powder extrusion in a hospital pharmacy setting. The developed process is suitable for the implementation in Closed-Loop Medication Management systems in hospital pharmacies and could therefore contribute to medication safety.

Solvent system effects on the physical and mechanical properties of electrospun Poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds for in vitro lung models

Mechanical properties are among the key considerations for the design and fabrication of complex tissue models and implants. In addition to the choice of material and the processing technique, the solvent system can significantly influence the mechanical properties of scaffolds. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) has been abundantly used to develop constructs, fibrous in particular, for pharmaceutical and biomedical research due to the flexibility offered by PCL-based fibrous matrices. The effect of solvent type on the morphological features of electrospun fibres has been extensively studied. Nevertheless, comprehensive studies on the impact of the solvent system on the mechanical properties of electrospun PCL fibres are lacking. This study elucidates the relationship between topographical, physical and mechanical properties of electrospun PCL fibrous meshes upon using various solvent systems. The results of the mechanical investigation highlight the significance of inter-fibre bonds on the mechanical properties of the bulk membranes and that the option of altering the solvent system composition could be considered for tuning the mechanical properties of the PCL scaffolds to serve specific biomedical application requirements. The applicability of the developed membranes as artificial ECM (Extracellular matrix) in the lung will then be investigated and compared to the commercial Polycarbonate (PC) membranes that are often used for in vitro lung models.

Electrospun Sound-Absorbing Nanofibrous Webs from Recycled Poly(vinyl butyral)

The amount of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) foils added to car windscreens to suppress glass shattering represents a huge worldwide volume of the material, and once a vehicle is end-of-life it also becomes a significance contributor to landfill. The recycling of PVB materials from windscreens has been expensive and despite improvements in recycling technologies, the landfill burden still increases. However, an increase in oil prices can shift the economic balance and stimulates the possible applicability of recycled PVB. As PVB is a relatively easy electrospinnable material, it is shown that nanofibrous mats produced from recycled PVB blends in ethanol exhibit very good sound-absorbing properties. To achieve an optimal composition between virgin and recycled PVB blends, a series of their ratios was consecutively characterized using various techniques (rheometry, SEM, FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, an impedance tube for determining sound absorbance). The best result was obtained with two wt. portions of 8 wt.% solution of virgin PVB in ethanol and one wt. portion of 12 wt.% solution of recycled PVB in ethanol.

Topical Film-Forming Chlorhexidine Gluconate Sprays for Antiseptic Application

Topical film-forming sprays of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG-FFS) were developed for antiseptic application. Various polymers and solvents were studied for their potential as film-forming polymers and solvent systems, respectively. To produce CHG-FFS, the optimal polymer and solvent were selected, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. The in vivo evaluation of CHG-FFS was investigated for the satisfaction of the dosage forms, time required for the film formation, film appearance, and adhesion on the skin. Antibacterial activity was also studied in vitro and in vivo. The optimized formulation was assessed for the in vitro cell line evaluations of the cytotoxicity and wound healing. The results demonstrate that Eudragit® S100, Eudragit® L100, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have the ability to be used as film-forming polymers in an ethanolic solution. A clear and flexible film was obtained from transparent homogenous solutions of CHG-FFS after actuation. They generated the fast thin film formation on the skin with the satisfaction of the dosage forms. Furthermore, the formulations inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and provided antiseptic activity in vivo. However, PVA was found to be an optimal film-forming polymer for promoting CHG adhesion on the skin. The CHG-FFS obtained from the PVA also provided a CHG film, which was non-toxic to human skin cells and did not interfere with the wound healing process. Therefore, the developed CHG-FFS could be a promising candidate for topical antiseptic application.

Development of Flexible Plasticized Ion Conducting Polymer Blend Electrolytes Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA): Chitosan (CS) with High Ion Transport Parameters Close to Gel Based Electrolytes

In the current study, flexible films of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA): chitosan (CS) solid polymer blend electrolytes (PBEs) with high ion transport property close enough to gel based electrolytes were prepared with the aid of casting methodology. Glycerol (GL) as a plasticizer and sodium bromide (NaBr) as an ionic source provider are added to PBEs. The flexible films have been examined for their structural and electrical properties. The GL content changed the brittle and solid behavior of the films to a soft manner. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) methods were used to examine the structural behavior of the electrolyte films. X-ray diffraction investigation revealed that the crystalline character of PVA:CS:NaBr declined with increasing GL concentration. The FTIR investigation hypothesized the interaction between polymer mix salt systems and added plasticizer. Infrared (FTIR) band shifts and fluctuations in intensity have been found. The ion transport characteristics such as mobility, carrier density, and diffusion were successfully calculated using the experimental impedance data that had been fitted with EEC components and dielectric parameters. CS:PVA at ambient temperature has the highest ionic conductivity of 3.8 × 10 S/cm for 35 wt.% of NaBr loaded with 55 wt.% of GL. The high ionic conductivity and improved transport properties revealed the suitableness of the films for energy storage device applications. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss were higher at lower frequencies. The relaxation nature of the samples was investigated using loss tangent and electric modulus plots. The peak detected in the spectra of tanδ and M” plots and the distribution of data points are asymmetric besides the peak positions. The movements of ions are not free from the polymer chain dynamics due to viscoelastic relaxation being dominant. The distorted arcs in the Argand plot have confirmed the viscoelastic relaxation in all the prepared films.

Management and control of intraocular pressure applying macitentan hydrogel film formulation: improved effect of surfactant and cosurfactant system

BACKGROUND

Macitentan blocks endothelin receptors in order to control the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Oral administration of macitentan is associated with painful urination and troubled breathing.

OBJECTIVES

Formulated macitentan hydrogel film was used for examining the control of intraocular pressure, and the effect of surfactant and cosurfactant was studied.

METHODS

Macitentan ocular film formulation has been prepared in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix system using different surfactant/co-surfactant system, and intraocular pressure was monitored on normotensive rabbit eyes after application in the cul-de-sac.

RESULTS

The solid state characterization of the film indicated amorphisation of macitentan and no issues regarding major incompatibility was observed. Combination of surfactant, co-surfactant and hydrophilic co-solvent systems in the said films markedly improved the drug release and mucosal tissue permeation. Presence of PEG and Transcutol significantly improved ex vivo corneal permeation of MP and MT respectively compared to other films. Transcutol (MT) exhibited greatest difference among the formulations by improving the vesicular bilayer fluidity and reducing the mucosal tissue barrier facilitating the transcorneal diffusion. A combination of diffusion and erosion control behavior was observed in drug release and corneal permeation of the films due to the balanced liquid penetration and polymeric chain relaxation rate. MP and MT films were used for further in vivo studies to achieve possible effective and prolonged control of intraocular pressure. In vivo study has revealed the reduction in intraocular pressure upto about 23 % when tested on normotensive rabbit model. The films has managed to lower the IOP upto 3 h.

CONCLUSION

Developed macitentan hydrogel film containing Transcutol (MT) could have a high potential for the control and management of ocular hypertension after topical application.

Polyoxadiazoles as proton exchange membranes for fuel cell application

The number of researches on the ion exchange membrane has increased considerably in recent years showing interest in fuel cell technology for the automobile and portable applications. The most promising fuel cell technology for low-temperature operation (80 °C < T < 150 °C) uses a polymer membrane separating the anode and cathode compartments in an electrochemical cell. Polyoxadiazoles (PODs) belong to a class of heterocyclic polymers, which possess a number of unique properties, such as thermal, mechanical, and chemical resistance. In the present review, numerous ways of POD synthesis are discussed in relation to their functional properties. In addition, different approaches to the elaboration of POD-based composite membranes are discussed in details in order to reveal the structure/properties relationship.

Recoverable peroxidase-like Fe3O4@MoS2-Ag nanozyme with enhanced antibacterial ability

Antibacterial agents with enzyme-like properties and bacteria-binding ability have provided an alternative method to efficiently disinfect drug-resistance microorganism. Herein, a Fe₃O₄@MoS₂-Ag nanozyme with defect-rich rough surface was constructed by a simple hydrothermal method and in-situ photodeposition of Ag nanoparticles. The nanozyme exhibited good antibacterial performance against E. coli (~69.4%) by the generated ROS and released Ag⁺, while the nanozyme could further achieve an excellent synergistic disinfection (~100%) by combining with the near-infrared photothermal property of Fe₃O₄@MoS₂-Ag. The antibacterial mechanism study showed that the antibacterial process was determined by the collaborative work of peroxidase-like activity, photothermal effect and leakage of Ag⁺. The defect-rich rough surface of MoS₂ layers facilitated the capture of bacteria, which enhanced the accurate and rapid attack of •OH and Ag⁺ to the membrane of E. coli with the assistance of local hyperthermia. This method showed broad-spectrum antibacterial performance against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, drug-resistant bacteria and fungal bacteria. Meanwhile, the magnetism of Fe₃O₄ was used to recycle the nanozyme. This work showed great potential of engineered nanozymes for efficient disinfection treatment.

Application of Protein-Based Films and Coatings for Food Packaging: A Review

As the IV generation of packaging, biopolymers, with the advantages of biodegradability, process ability, combination possibilities and no pollution to food, have become the leading food packaging materials. Biopolymers can be directly extracted from biomass, synthesized from bioderived monomers and produced directly by microorganisms which are all abundant and renewable. The raw materials used to produce biopolymers are low-cost, some even coming from agrion dustrial waste. This review summarized the advances in protein-based films and coatings for food packaging. The materials studied to develop protein-based packaging films and coatings can be divided into two classes: plant proteins and animal proteins. Parts of proteins are referred in this review, including plant proteins i.e., gluten, soy proteins and zein, and animal proteins i.e., casein, whey and gelatin. Films and coatings based on these proteins have excellent gas barrier properties and satisfactory mechanical properties. However, the hydrophilicity of proteins makes the protein-based films present poor water barrier characteristics. The application of plasticizers and the corresponding post-treatments can make the properties of the protein-based films and coatings improved. The addition of active compounds into protein-based films can effectively inhibit or delay the growth of microorganisms and the oxidation of lipids. The review also summarized the research about the storage requirements of various foods that can provide corresponding guidance for the preparation of food packaging materials. Numerous application examples of protein-based films and coatings in food packaging also confirm their important role in food packaging materials.

Glassy state molecular mobility and its relationship to the physico-mechanical properties of plasticized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films

Changes in tensile properties and the glass transition temperature (T_g) of plasticized polymer films are typically attributed to molecular mobility, often with no empirical data to support such an assertion. Herein solvent cast HPMC films containing varying amounts of PEG, as the plasticizer, were used to assess the dependence of tensile properties and the T_g on glassy state molecular mobility. Molecular mobility (molecular relaxation time and temperature) parameters were determined by Thermally Stimulated Current Spectroscopy (TSC). The tensile properties and T_g of the HPMC films were determined by texture analysis and DSC, respectively. Molecular mobilities detected by TSC were cooperative and occurred at temperatures (T_g′) well below (113 to 127 °C) the bulk T_g. The relaxation times (τ) were 71 ± 1, 46 ± 1, 42 ± 1, 36 ± 1 and 29 ± 1 s for HPMC films containing 0, 6, 8, 11 and 17% (w/w) PEG, respectively. The T_g and glassy state molecular mobility were found to be intimately linked and demonstrated a linear dependence. While tensile strength was found to be linearly related to molecular relaxation time, tensile elongation and elastic modulus exhibited a non-linear dependence on molecular mobility. The data presented in this work demonstrates the complex nature of the relationship between plasticizer content, molecular mobility, T_g and tensile properties for plasticized polymeric films. It highlights the fact that the dependence of the bulk physico-mechanical properties on glassy state molecular mobility, differ greatly. Therefore, empirical characterization of molecular mobility is important to fully understand and predict the thermo-mechanical behavior of plasticized polymer films. This work demonstrates the unique capability of TSC to provide key information relating to molecular mobility and its influence on the bulk properties of materials. Data generated using TSC could prove useful for stability and performance ranking, in addition to the ability to predict materials behavior using data generated at or below typical storage conditions in the pharmaceutical, food, and polymer industries.

Polymer Electrolytes for LIBs Based on Perfluorinated Sulfocationic Nepem-117 Membrane and Aprotic Solvents

Polymer electrolytes have been obtained by using Nepem-117 membranes in a Li⁺ form intercalated by polar aprotic solvents, such as dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and dimethylacetamide (DMA), and solvent mixtures, such as ethylene carbonate-propylene carbonate (EC-PC), EC-DMA, EC-PC-DMA, and EC-PC-DMA-tetrahydrofuran. The obtained electrolytes have been characterized by IR impedance and ⁷Li pulsed field gradient NMR spectroscopy. Ion mobility was observed to increase with higher degrees of solvation of the membranes. A method is demonstrated to determine the solvent uptake corresponding to the percolation threshold. With comparable solvent uptake, materials containing a solvent with a higher permittivity and a lower viscosity have higher values of ionic conductivity. The membranes containing the three-component mixture of EC-PC-DMA show the highest ionic conductivity values (8.1 and 2.1 mS/cm at 25 and -20 °C, respectively). Such values exceed the conductivity of electrolytes on the basis of the Nafion membranes solvated with aprotic solvents.

Electrospinning over Solvent Casting: Tuning of Mechanical Properties of Membranes

We put forth our opinion regarding the enhanced plasticity and modulation of mechanical properties of polymeric films obtained through electrospinning process in this article. In majority of the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and packaging applications, it is desirable that polymer based matrices should be soft, flexible, and have a moderate toughness. In order to convert inflexible and brittle polymers, adjuvants in the form of plasticizers are added to improve the flexibility and smoothness of solvent casted polymer films. However, many of these plasticizers are under scrutiny for their toxic effects and environmental hazards. In addition, plasticizers also increase the cost of end products. This has motivated the scientific community to investigate alternate approaches. The changes imparted in membrane casted by electrospinning were tried to be proved by SEM, Mechanical property study, DSC and XRD studies. We have showed dramatic improvement in flexibility of poly(ε-caprolactone) based nanofiber matrix prepared by electrospinning method whereas solvent casting method without any plasticizer produced very brittle, inflexible film of PCL. Modulation capacity of mechanical properties is also recorded. We tried to support our opinion by citing several similar findings available in the open literature. The electrospinning method helps in plasticization and in tuning mechanical properties.

Critical material attributes (CMAs) of strip films loaded with poorly water-soluble drug nanoparticles: I. Impact of plasticizer on film properties and dissolution

Recent studies have demonstrated polymer films to be a promising platform for delivery of poorly water-soluble drug particles. However, the impact of critical material attributes, for example plasticizer, on the properties of and drug release from such films has yet to be investigated. In response, this study focuses on the impact of plasticizer and plasticizer concentration on properties and dissolution rate of polymer films loaded with poorly water-soluble drug nanoparticles. Glycerin, triacetin, and polyethylene glycol were selected as film plasticizers. Griseofulvin was used as a model Biopharmaceutics Classification System class II drug and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was used as a film-forming polymer. Griseofulvin nanoparticles were prepared via wet stirred media milling in aqueous suspension. A depression in film glass transition temperature was observed with increasing plasticizer concentration, along with a decrease in film tensile strength and an increase in film elongation, as is typical of plasticizers. However, the type and amount of plasticizer necessary to produce strong yet flexible films had no significant impact on the dissolution rate of the films, suggesting that film mechanical properties can be effectively manipulated with minimal impact on drug release. Griseofulvin nanoparticles were successfully recovered upon redispersion in water regardless of plasticizer or content, even after up to 6months' storage at 40°C and 75% relative humidity, which contributed to similar consistency in dissolution rate after 6months' storage for all films. Good content uniformity (<4% R.S.D. for very small film sample size) was also maintained across all film formulations.

A comparative study of aqueous and organic-based films and coatings of PEGylated rosin derivative

Rosin was partially esterified with polyethylene glycol 400 and reacted with maleic-anhydride to form an ester-adduct derivative. Derivative and native rosin were characterized for physicochemical properties. Aqueous coating system of derivative was developed by ammonia neutralization method. Organic-based films were produced using acetone. Aqueous and organic-based films were comparatively evaluated. Derivative exhibited an excellent coat-forming ability on spherical-units. Aqueous-based film exhibited very high water vapor transmission rate, wettability, water uptake, and leaching at pH 6.8. A 20% w/w aqueous-based coat could sustain diclofenac sodium release for 8 h, whereas, 20% w/w organic-based coat released 20.11% of drug in 8 h. In conclusion, aqueous coating system of synthesized rosin derivative can be developed; however, aqueous-coats are less efficient to retard the drug release rate. Instead, the organic-based coatings can efficiently be used for sustained drug delivery.

Alginate–magnesium aluminum silicate composite films: Effect of film thickness on physical characteristics and permeability

The different film thicknesses of the sodium alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate (SA-MAS) microcomposite films were prepared by varying volumes of the composite dispersion for casting. Effect of film thickness on thermal behavior, solid-state crystallinity, mechanical properties, water uptake and erosion, and water vapor and drug permeability of the microcomposite films were investigated. The film thickness caused a small change in thermal behavior of the films when tested using DSC and TGA. The crystallinity of the thin films seemed to increase when compared with the thick films. The thin films gave higher tensile strength than the thick films, whereas % elongation of the films was on the contrary resulted in the lower Young's modulus of the films when the film thickness was increased. This was due to the weaker of the film bulk, suggesting that the microscopic matrix structure of the thick films was looser than that of the thin films. Consequently, water uptake and erosion, water vapor permeation and drug diffusion coefficient of the thick films were higher than those of the thin films. The different types of drug on permeability of the films also showed that a positive charge and large molecule of drug, propranolol HCl, had higher lag time and lower diffusion coefficient that acetaminophen, a non-electrolyte and small molecule. This was because of a higher affinity of positive charge drug on MAS in the films. The findings suggest that the evaporation rate of solvent in different volumes of the composite dispersion used in the preparation method could affect crystallinity and strength of the film surface and film bulk of the microcomposite films. This led to a change in water vapor and drug permeability of the films.

Alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate films: Effect of plasticizers on film properties, drug permeation and drug release from coated tablets

The effect of hydrophilic plasticizers, namely glycerin and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), on physicochemical properties of sodium alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate (SA-MAS) microcomposite films was characterized and application of the films for controlling drug release from tablets was evaluated as well. The plasticizers could possibly interact with SA or MAS by formation of hydrogen bonding, as revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. PXRD studies presented that glycerin or PEG400 could intercalate into the silicate layers of MAS and higher crystallinity of the films with PEG400 was obtained. This led to a different thermal behavior of the films. Glycerin gave more flexibility of the films than PEG400. Incorporation of plasticizers into the films did not affect water uptake in acid medium, but increasing an erosion of the films because of the leaching of the plasticizers. Water vapor permeability of the films decreased with increasing amount of plasticizers in the range of 10-30% (w/w). Diffusion coefficient (D) of acetaminophen (ACT) across the films in acid medium increased with addition of the plasticizers because the leaching of plasticizers could reduce tortuosity of aqueous pore channels of the films. The tablets coated with plasticized films had a quite smooth surface without defect as shown by SEM. The ACT release profiles from the coated tablets showed a zero-order release kinetic with drug diffusion mechanism across in situ insoluble composite films in acid medium, and coating film swelling and erosion mechanism in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. Moreover, neither the release rate nor the release pattern of the ACT coated tablets was obviously changed. The findings show that glycerin or PEG400 could improve physicochemical properties of the SA-MAS films and the plasticized films could control the drug release from tablets in gastro-intestinal condition.

Investigation of novel alginate−magnesium aluminum silicate microcomposite films for modified-release tablets

Physicochemical properties of sodium alginate-magnesium aluminum silicate (SA-MAS) composite films were investigated and a potential as a film former of SA-MAS dispersion for modifying drug release from tablets was evaluated as well. Interaction between SA and MAS in the composite films was revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal behavior of the composite films was changed due to the complexation of SA and MAS. Powder X-ray diffractometry data suggested that a higher crystallinity of the composite film and a phase-separated microcomposite were formed. The composite films in the ratios of 1:0.5 and 1:1 showed the increases of tensile strength and percentage of elongation when compared with SA films. Water vapor permeability of the composite films tended to increase with increasing ratio of MAS. The decreases in water uptake and drug permeability in 0.1 M HCl were found in the composite films. A positive charge drug, propranolol HCl, provided a higher affinity on the composite films than a weakly acidic nonelectrolyte, acetaminophen, resulting in a longer lag time and a higher partition coefficient depending on the content of MAS in the composite films. This was due to the complex formation of propranolol HCl and MAS. Using SEM, the tablets coated with SA-MAS dispersion had a smooth surface, while those with SA dispersion showed a pinholing on the surface, resulting in a faster drug release. The drug release profiles of the tablets could be modified by coating with the composite film at different coating levels. This finding suggests that MAS could improve physicochemical properties of the SA films, leading to a novel coating material of the SA-MAS dispersion for modifying drug release from tablets.

Novel Film Modifiers to Alter the Physical Properties of Composite Ethylcellulose Films

PURPOSE

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), molecular-composite PVP, and Plasdone S-630 copolyvidonum are potential polymeric film modifiers for achieving improved drug release. The aim of this study was to investigate how these polymeric additives would affect the physicomechanical properties of composite ethylcellulose films.

METHODS

The miscibility of these polymeric additives with ethylcellulose was determined from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms of various polymer blends formed from organic solvents. It was found that ethylcellulose (EC) was miscible with the polymeric additives up to a concentration of 50%. Ten percent to 30% w/w polymeric additives were then added to aqueous ethylcellulose dispersion to form composite films. The morphology, film transparency, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) thermograms, and mechanical properties of the composite ethylcellulose films were studied. In addition, puncture strength and % elongation of the dry and wet films were also compared from indentation test.

RESULTS

Significant reduction and change in film transparency and morphology was obtained for EC films blended with PVP of higher molecular weight (MW). The composite EC films also showed higher Tg, greater elastic modulus, tensile and puncture strength depending on the concentration and type of additives present.

CONCLUSIONS

The interaction between ethylcellulose and the polymeric additives is dependent on the MW and concentration of additives. The composite films offer new opportunities for the use of ethyl-cellulose as modified release coatings for dosage forms.