The goal is to design and characterize novel biopolymer coatings with tailored barrier properties by characterizing the phase separation mechanism of cellulose derivatives. The mechanisms should then be correlated to chemical properties of novel coating materials, thin-layer constraints and the permeability properties of the final structure. A coating consisting of a mixed cellulose derivative system, which is used by AstraZeneca for controlled drug release purposes, is initially used. We have shown that the phase separation depends on the molecular weights, which is predicted by the theories of Flory and Huggins, but we can also see that the kinetics in the phase separation depends on the molecular weight and that this results in different film structures. The project works together with AstraZeneca and Eka Chemicals. We collaborate with research groups at SuMo lead by Eva Olsson and Alexey Heintz, who support the project with film structures and simulations of the permeability. Companies involved: AstraZeneca, Eka Chemicals.
Contact: mats dot stading at sik dot se