Influence of magnetic field on the nucleation rate control of mono paracetamol

Abstract

Crystallization of paracetamol was carried out under magnetic field in pure aqueous solution at ambient condition for the first time. Solutions at different supersaturation levels σ = 0.28–1.6 were exposed to various magnetic flux densities in the range 160–510 Gauss and the grown crystals were compared with that grown in the absence of magnetic field. Both in the absence and presence of magnetic field, solution yields only stable mono paracetamol and does not favors the metastable ortho polymorph at all supersaturation levels. The presence of magnetic field reduces the rate of crystal nucleations as well as modifies the habit of the nucleated mono paracetamol. Crystals obtained in the presence of magnetic field were of good quality and highly transparent as compared to the crystals grown in the absence of magnetic field. The induction period of the nucleation in solution decreases significantly with increase in magnetic flux density at all supersaturation ranges. The internal structure and thermal stability of the grown paracetamol crystal was confirmed by PXRD and DSC analysis.