Multi-scale Investigation on the Production of Mannitol Particles with Uniform Physicochemical Properties

Spray-dried mannitol microparticles have recently been a popular pharmaceutical excipient, but it has been a challenge to produce mannitol particles with controlled physicochemical properties. This thesis describes the production of mannitol particles with uniform physicochemical properties using a microfluidic spray dryer. Firstly, a series of single droplet drying experiments was used to establish the drying and crystallization kinetics of mannitol in a hot chamber. Then, a pilot scale microfluidic spray dryer was used to produce mannitol microparticles with desired characteristics. The findings from this research will benefit the producers of pharmaceutical excipients, the pharmaceutical industry and the research community.