Abstract

This work was carried out to explore the unknown area of converting non-woven fibres, prepared by high speed electrospinning, into a directly compressible blend by mixing with excipients. An experimental design, with independent variables of compression force and fillers fraction, was realized to investigate tabletability of electrospun material (EM) and to produce hard tablets with appropriate disintegration time. The models proved to be adequate; fitted to the results and predicted values well for the optimal tablet, which was found to be at 76.25% fillers fraction and 6 kN compression force. Besides standard characterizations, distribution of EM was investigated by Raman mapping and scanning electron microscopy revealing the propensity of EM to cover the surface of microcrystalline cellulose and not of mannitol. These analytical tools were also found to be useful at investigating the possible formation of the so-called gelling polymer network in tablets. Scanning electron microscopic pictures of tablets confirmed the maintenance of fibrous structure after compression. The moisture absorption of EM under increasing humidity was studied by dynamic vapour sorption measurement, which suggested good physical stability at 25 °C and 60% relative humidity (corroborated by modulated DSC). These results demonstrate the feasibility of a pharmaceutically acceptable downstream processing for EMs.

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