For the action and stability of many products it is of great importance to understand diffusion properties, something that can be controlled through formulation and processes. With diffusion-NMR methods it is possible to get information on the diffusivity of water or substrates in even complex matrices. Knowing how restricted or freely substrates or water is diffusing in a structure can have implementations on several aspects of production, product action and stability. Thus, one should know where one’s water is.
In this particular project we worked on the understanding of the diffusion in gel samples and on the interpretation of the diffusion in terms of morphology. We developed NMR methods to be used in combination with SAXS (Small Angle X-ray Scattering) to get structural information from samples with complex morphology. The methods were developed on model systems and modified to be valuable tools also on true products far from ideal…
In another project (for Pharma) we also searched for minute amounts of water due to the detrimental effect also a small amount can have on for example a pharmaceutical tablet. The use of solid state NMR is very valuable in these efforts and a technique we strongly recommend!
