Research Projects

Cocrystallization is an emerging crystallization technique to create crystals containing two or more coformers in the crystal lattice. They have properties beneficial to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Often, they exhibit better dissolution profiles, stability, and mechanical properties. Solution cocrystallization is a scalable process for producing cocrystals. However, the kinetics of solution cocrystallization is yet to be explored in depth. The process is significantly different from single-component crystallization due to the presence of multiple components and solid forms. This project aims to study the nucleation and growth kinetics of cocrystals in cooling and antisolvent cocrystallization process. The model cocrystal system chosen for the study would include coformers such as curcumin, nicotinamide, saccharin, quercetin, naringenin, and theophylline, which have nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. The thermodynamic landscape and the kinetic order of the crystal forms will be identified. Crystallization outcomes from the experiments will be used for developing a common guideline for determining the stable operating conditions in solution cocrystallization processes and their scale up. Fundamental knowledge of these kinetics is essential for the development of large-scale processes for commercial production.