- Specific Surface Area refers to the total surface area per unit mass of a material or powder.
- Specific Surface Area influences solubility, dissolution, reactivity, and pharmaceutical formulations.
Definition:
- Total surface area per unit mass or volume of a material
$\text{Specific Surface Area (SSA)} = \frac{\text{Surface Area}}{\text{Mass}}$
Units:
- m²/g (area per mass)
- cm²/cm³ (area per volume)
Advertisements
Measurement Methods:
- Gas adsorption (BET)
- Air permeability (e.g., Blaine apparatus)
- Calculation from particle size distribution (assuming spherical particles)
Pharmaceutical Relevance:
- Higher SSA → Faster dissolution
- Important in inhalation drugs, suspensions, powder blends
- Affects reaction rate, bioavailability
