Modeling of Adhesion in Tablet Compression at the Molecular Level Using Thermal Analysis and Molecular Simulations

The molecular basis of adhesion leading to sticking was investigated by exploring the correlation between thermal analysis and molecular simulations. It is hypothesized that intermolecular interactions between a drug molecule and a punch face are the first step in the adhesion process and the rank order of adhesion during tablet compression should correspond to the rank order of the energies of these interactions. In the present study, the sticking propensity was investigated using ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and ketoprofen as model substances. At the intermolecular level, a thermal analysis model was proposed as an experimental technique to estimate the work of adhesion between ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and ketoprofen in a DSC aluminum pan. The linear relationship was established between the enthalpy of vaporization and sample mass to demonstrate the accuracy of the instruments used. The threshold mass for ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and ketoprofen was determined to be 107, 112, and 222 mu g, respectively, after three replicate measurements consistent with the experimental results. Ketoprofen showed a 2-fold higher threshold mass compared to ibuprofen and flurbiprofen, which predicts that ketoprofen should have the highest sticking propensity. Computationally, the rank order of the work of adhesion between ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, and ketoprofen with the metal surface was simulated to be -75.91, 44.75, and -96.91 kcal/mol, respectively, using Materials Studio. The rank order of the interaction between the drug molecule and the iron superlattice decreases in the order ketoprofen > ibuprofen > flurbiprofen. The results indicate that the thermal model can be successfully implemented to assess the sticking propensity of a drug at the molecular level. Also, a new molecular simulation script was successfully applied to determine the interaction energy of the drug molecule upon contact with iron.