Atomic Force Microscopy Applied to the Characterization of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have generated increasing attention as an alternative carrier system, particularly for lipophilic drugs [1-2]. The system consists of lipid nanoparticles, which are solid at room temperature. The solid matrix offers the possibility to improve the stability against coalescence and the reduced mobility of incorporated drug molecules is a pre requisite for controlled drug release [3]. Dexamethasone acetate was used as a model drug because of its wide application in the pharmaceutical field and lipophilic properties.