Title:Impact of Electrostatics on Processing and Product Performance of Pharmaceutical Solids
Volume: 21
Issue: 40
Author(s): Parind Mahendrakumar Desai, Bernice Mei Jin Tan, Celine Valeria Liew, Lai Wah Chan and Paul Wan Sia Heng
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Electrostatics; electrostatic charging, pharmaceutical processing, product performance, Faraday unit, triboelectric charging.
Abstract: Manufacturing of pharmaceutical solids involves different unit operations and processing steps such as
powder blending, fluidization, sieving, powder coating, pneumatic conveying and spray drying. During these operations,
particles come in contact with other particles, different metallic, glass or polymer surfaces and can become
electrically charged. Electrostatic charging often gives a negative connotation as it creates sticking, jamming,
segregation or other issues during tablet manufacturing, capsule filling, film packaging and other pharmaceutical
operations. A thorough and fundamental appreciation of the current knowledge of mechanisms and the potential
outcomes is essential in order to minimize potential risks resulting from this phenomenon. The intent of this review
is to discuss the electrostatic properties of pharmaceutical powders, equipment surfaces and devices affecting
pharmaceutical processing and product performance. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the
electrostatic charging are described and factors affecting electrostatic charging have been reviewed in detail. Feasibility of different
methods used in the laboratory and pharmaceutical industry to measure charge propensity and decay has been summarized. Different
computational and experimental methods studied have proven that the particle charging is a very complex phenomenon and control of
particle charging is extremely important to achieve reliable manufacturing and reproducible product performance.
