Product properties particulate structure

The property function relates the particulate structure (size, shape, morphology, surface) to the product proper-... 

For particulate materials, the product properties depend on the chemical composition and on the dispersity of the material. The dispersity is characterized by the particle size distribution (PSD), the particles shape, their morphology in terms of internal structure (amorphous, crystalline, internal pore size distributions and their defects), and their interfacial properties. This relation was called by Rumpf already in the 1960s of the last century the property function (Rumpf, 1967). Control of the property function is the core of product engineering or product design. 

Since the properties of these particulate materials are basically determined by their mean size, size distribution, external shape, internal structure, and chemical composition, the science in the mechanistic study of particle formation and the fundamental technology in their synthesis and characteristic control may constitute the background for the essential development of colloid science and pertinent industries. Scientists have now learned how to form monodispersed fine particles of different shapes of simple or mixed chemical compositions, and, as a result, it is now possible to design many powders of exact and reproducible characteristics for a variety of uses. These achievements are especially important in the manufacture of high-quality products requiring stringent specification of properties. 

An important practical case during SEC is coprecipitation of structurally similar compounds, for example, reaction by-products, chiral molecules, additives, and impurities. Such precipitation is important when the aim is to produce composite crystals or drug xcipient mixtures or, on the contrary, to separate impurities from a solid product. The similarity of molecular structures ensures that such compounds strongly interact with each other, thus increasing the likelihood for solid solutions to form. Strong solid-solid intermolecular interactions typically result in separation problems and in significant variations of the solid state and particulate properties. 

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