Formation mechanisms of sub-micron pharmaceutical composite particles derived from far- and near-field Raman microscopy

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and confocal microscopy are applied to investigate the structure molecular arrangement of sub-micron furosemide polyvinylpyrrolidone (furosemide/PVP) particles produced by spray flash evaporation (SFE). Morphology, size crystallinity furosemide/PVP analyzed scanning electron (SEM) X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Far-field spectra far-field maps interpreted based on pure PVP precursors. Confocal shows that feature an intermixture molecules at scale. SERS surface-enhanced (SECoRM) performed furosemide, composite sputtered with silver (40 nm). SECoRM reveal particle surfaces mainly consist molecules. The combination surface bulk sensitive analyses formed agglomeration primary nano-crystals embedded in a thin matrix. Interestingly, both provide information statistically-relevant amount single microscopic map; this is thus effective time-saving tool for investigating organic composites.