Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Interest in 3D printing oral thin films (OTFs) has increased substantially. The challenge of 3D printing is film printability, which is strongly affected by the rheological properties of the ink and having suitable mechanical properties. This research assess...
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2025-02-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/2/183 |
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| author | Farzana Khan Rony Jonathan Appiah Asmaa Alawbali Distinee Clay Shamsuddin Ilias Mohammad A. Azad |
| author_facet | Farzana Khan Rony Jonathan Appiah Asmaa Alawbali Distinee Clay Shamsuddin Ilias Mohammad A. Azad |
| author_sort | Farzana Khan Rony |
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| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Interest in 3D printing oral thin films (OTFs) has increased substantially. The challenge of 3D printing is film printability, which is strongly affected by the rheological properties of the ink and having suitable mechanical properties. This research assesses the suitability of sodium starch glycolate (SSG), a swellable cross-linked biopolymer, on ink rheology and the film’s mechanical properties. <b>Methods:</b> A water-based ink comprising sodium alginate (SA), the drug fenofibrate (FNB), SSG, glycerin, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was formulated, and its rheology was assessed through flow, amplitude sweeps, and thixotropy tests. Films (10 mm × 15 mm × 0.35 mm) were 3D-printed using a 410 µm nozzle, 50% infill density, 60 kPa pressure, and 10 mm/s speed, with mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break) analyzed using a TA-XT Plus C texture analyzer. <b>Results:</b> The rheology showed SSG-based ink has suitable properties (shear-thinning behavior, high viscosity, higher modulus, and quick recovery) for 3D printing. SSG enhanced the rheology (viscosity and modulus) of ink but not the mechanical properties of film. XRD and DSC confirmed preserved FNB crystallinity without polymorphic changes. SEM images showed surface morphology and particle distribution across the film. The film demonstrated a drug loading of 44.28% (RSD 5.62%) and a dissolution rate of ~77% within 30 min. <b>Conclusions:</b> SSG improves ink rheology, makes it compatible with 3D printing, and enhances drug dissolution (formulation F-5). Plasticizer glycerin is essential with SSG to achieve the film’s required mechanical properties. The study confirms SSG’s suitability for 3D printing of OTFs. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj-art-b857fae2851545e294c6fd9bee5170362025-08-20T02:03:41ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232025-02-0117218310.3390/pharmaceutics17020183Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin FilmFarzana Khan Rony0Jonathan Appiah1Asmaa Alawbali2Distinee Clay3Shamsuddin Ilias4Mohammad A. Azad5Department of Applied Science and Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAMaterials Science and Process Engineering (MSPE) Lab, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAMaterials Science and Process Engineering (MSPE) Lab, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAMaterials Science and Process Engineering (MSPE) Lab, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USADepartment of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USAMaterials Science and Process Engineering (MSPE) Lab, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Interest in 3D printing oral thin films (OTFs) has increased substantially. The challenge of 3D printing is film printability, which is strongly affected by the rheological properties of the ink and having suitable mechanical properties. This research assesses the suitability of sodium starch glycolate (SSG), a swellable cross-linked biopolymer, on ink rheology and the film’s mechanical properties. <b>Methods:</b> A water-based ink comprising sodium alginate (SA), the drug fenofibrate (FNB), SSG, glycerin, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was formulated, and its rheology was assessed through flow, amplitude sweeps, and thixotropy tests. Films (10 mm × 15 mm × 0.35 mm) were 3D-printed using a 410 µm nozzle, 50% infill density, 60 kPa pressure, and 10 mm/s speed, with mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break) analyzed using a TA-XT Plus C texture analyzer. <b>Results:</b> The rheology showed SSG-based ink has suitable properties (shear-thinning behavior, high viscosity, higher modulus, and quick recovery) for 3D printing. SSG enhanced the rheology (viscosity and modulus) of ink but not the mechanical properties of film. XRD and DSC confirmed preserved FNB crystallinity without polymorphic changes. SEM images showed surface morphology and particle distribution across the film. The film demonstrated a drug loading of 44.28% (RSD 5.62%) and a dissolution rate of ~77% within 30 min. <b>Conclusions:</b> SSG improves ink rheology, makes it compatible with 3D printing, and enhances drug dissolution (formulation F-5). Plasticizer glycerin is essential with SSG to achieve the film’s required mechanical properties. The study confirms SSG’s suitability for 3D printing of OTFs.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/2/1833D printingoral thin filmrheological propertiesswellable cross-linked biopolymersodium starch glycolate (SSG)mechanical properties |
| spellingShingle | Farzana Khan Rony Jonathan Appiah Asmaa Alawbali Distinee Clay Shamsuddin Ilias Mohammad A. Azad Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film Pharmaceutics 3D printing oral thin film rheological properties swellable cross-linked biopolymer sodium starch glycolate (SSG) mechanical properties |
| title | Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film |
| title_full | Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film |
| title_short | Evaluating Swellable Cross-Linked Biopolymer Impact on Ink Rheology and Mechanical Properties of Drug-Contained 3D-Printed Thin Film |
| title_sort | evaluating swellable cross linked biopolymer impact on ink rheology and mechanical properties of drug contained 3d printed thin film |
| topic | 3D printing oral thin film rheological properties swellable cross-linked biopolymer sodium starch glycolate (SSG) mechanical properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/2/183 |
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