Decoupling the effects of surface chemistry and humidity on solid-state hydrolysis of aspirin in the presence of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers were functionalized with particles of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCP), and AFM, in force-displacement mode, was used to bring these probes into contact with aspirin (100) and (001) surfaces in order to investigate the effect of aspirin surface chemistry on the interaction between the two materials as a function of relative humidity (RH). The force of adhesion measurements showed a strong dependence on RH for the interactions between DCP and the aspirin (100) surface, with stronger interactions occurring at higher humudities. Relatively much weaker interactions were measured between DCP and the aspirin (001) surface under all RH conditions. Topographic imaging showed that contact between DCP and the aspirin (100) surface at high RH led to localised development of etch pits and, in some cases, growth normal to the surface. The methodology allows for the creation of a localised solid-solid interface between pharmaceutically relevant materials, providing a means of studying solid-state excipient-active ingredient decomposition reactions.