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PARTICLE SHAPE AND SURFACE AREA
The particle shape is related to the geometrie shape well as the surface iregularity (Fig. 2.8).
as

Particle shape affects the packing properties and flow of a powder and it also has some influence on
characteristic which
the surface area. Surface area per unit weight or volume is an important
determines surface adsorption and dissolution rate of the particle.

Particle Shape: A sphere has a minimum surface area per unit volume. The more asymmetric
to
the particle becomes, the greater is the surface area per unit volume. Hence, it may be necessary
determine the extent of asymmetry in a particle.
characterise
its diameter. An asymmetric particle is more difficult to
A by
Sphhere is characterised
particle's surface diameter is measured in
terms
of surface diameter. Hence, the asymmetric
terms of some equivalent spherical diameter.
 32 Physical Pharmacy
Surtace irregularity

Spherical Spherical Spherical

smooth rough irregular

Rounded Angular Elongated

irregular

Acicular Angular Dendritic

Fig. 2.8. Characteristic particle shapes.

Surface area of a sphere is given by

S md
while its volume is given by

V= nd'/65

where d is the diameter of the particle.

Therefore, the surface area and volume of a spherical particle are proportional to the square a
cube respectively of diameter.
In order to estimate of the surface area or volume of an asymmetric particle, it is necessary to
choose a diameter that relates this to the surface area or volume of a sphere through a correction
factor
Suppose, the particle size is determined microscopically in terms of the projected diameter, d
Then,
Surface area = a d = t d

where a, is the surface area factor and d, is the equivalent surface diameter.

Volume =

ad,i nd,/6
=

where a, is the volume factor andd, is the equivalent volume diameter.

The equivalent surface area and equivalent volume are 'shape factors' and in reality the ratio of
one diameter to another.
For a sphere,

a Ttd-/d,' =
3.142 and a, =

td,/6d,i =
0.524.
 Micromeritics and Powder Rheology 33

The ratio a/a, is also used to characterise particle shape.

When the particle is spherical, a /a, equals 6
aa3.142/0.524=6

Ifthis ratio exceeds the

minimum value
of 6, theparticles deviate from being spherical. More this
minimum value of 6, more asymmetric are the particles..
ratio exceeds the

Specific Surface
the surface area per unit volume (S,) or per unit
The specific surface of a powder is defined as
derived from equations given above.
weight (Sand may be
surface and volume correction factors for asymmetric particles,
Taking into account the area

the specific surface area per unit volume is given by:

Surface area of particles
S Volume of particles

na d
na,d ad
where n is the number of particles.
The surface area per unit weight is therefore

SS/p
in which p is the true density of the particles.
Substituting for S,

S pd,ds
in which the dimension is now defined as d the volume-surface diameter characteristic of specific
surface.
For spherical or nearly spherical particles

6
S pd
(since a a, =
6 for a sphere).
Example 24
O
have an average diameter as
ine surface of 5 g of an antibiotic powder in which particles
the total
2 pum and a true density of 2.4 g/cm. Assume that the particles are spheres.
 34 Physical Pharmacy

Solution

Volume surface mean

diameter
ofthe particles (d,)2
=2 x 10*cm

True density ofthe powder (p)=2.4 g/cm

Specific surtace per
unit weight

6
Ss pds
6
2.4x2x 104
=
1.25x 10 cm/g
Total surface of 1 g of powder =1.25 x
10 cm?
Total surface of 5 g of powder 5 x
1.25 10 cm
x

6.25 x
10 cm2
Example 2.5
Determine the specific surface, S and S, of a sample of spray dried lactose having spherical particles of
diameter (d,,) 3.0 um and true density of 1.54 g/cm'.

Solution
Volume surface mean diameter (d,)=3.0 um =3 x
10cm
True density (p) =
1.54 g/cm*
Specific surface per unit weight

6
S pds
6
1.54x3 x 104 cm/g
1.29x 10 cm/g
Specific surface per unit volume
S6/d
6/3x 104 cm/cm
= 2 10 cm/cm