title: Plasticizer effects on physical-mechanical properties of solvent cast Soluplus® films.
abstract: Soluplus® is a novel amphiphilic polymer that has been shown to enhance the solubility and drug dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. However, there still is a lack of information regarding the physical mechanical properties of Soluplus® with addition of the plasticizers. This study characterized the mechanical properties of Soluplus® with four different plasticizers. The plasticizers selected were polyethylene glycol 6, triethyl citrate, propylene glycol, and glycerin; they were studied at three different levels (15%, 20%, and 25% w/w). The effects of these plasticizers on the glass transition temperature, tensile strength, percent elongation, and Young's modulus of free films made from Soluplus® were measured and the toughness and ratio of tensile strength to Young's modulus were calculated. These results showed these four plasticizers are capable to plasticizing Soluplus® as indicated by the glass transition temperature lowering, tensile strength, and Young's modulus while increasing the percent elongation and film toughness. Among the plasticizers tested, polyethylene glycol 6 showed greatest changed in the mechanical properties studied.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Baltimore, 20 N Pine St, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Hanpin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hoag
mesh_terms: D008422:Materials Testing; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010968:Plasticizers; D012997:Solvents