Multi-Physics Coupled FEM Method to Simulate the Formation of Crater-Like Taylor Cone in Electrospinning of Nanofibers

Abstract

Crater-like Taylor cone electrospinning is a novel, simple, and powerful approach to mass produce nanofibers. The Taylor cone, crater-like liquid bump on the free liquid surface, in this electrospinning process plays a key role to produce multiple fluid jets which finally solidifies nanofibers. A multi-physics coupled FEM method was employed to simulate the dynamic formation process of crater-like Taylor Cone in crater-like electrospinning. A blended k−ω /k−ε model for turbulence and dynamic overset grids to resolve large amplitude motions were used to simulate two-dimensional uncompressed flow, which was described in axisymmetrical coordinates. The numerical calculation results were obtained by a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The effect of gas flow on the formation of crater-like Taylor cone and the production of nanofibers were also discussed. The experiments were carried out to validate the numerical results. The Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/ distilled water solution with 18wt% and the air pressures ranged varied from 4 to 50kPa were used in our experiments. The results showed that the numerical results were in good agreement with the experimental results. This work provides a deep understanding of the mechanisms of micro fluid jets production in electrospinning processes and two-phase flow in specific type of industrial equipment.

Fabrication and Properties of High‐Content Keratin/Poly (Ethylene Oxide) Blend Nanofibers Using Two‐Step Cross‐Linking Process

“…Among these sources, human hair keratin emerges as an attractive protein because it can be easily obtained from the unlimited supply of human hair, making it abundant and readily available [8]. Electrospun nanofiber mats have many potential biomedical applications for their attractive features such as high surface-to volume ratio and very high porosity [9][10][11]. In addition, the structure and fiber distribution of the mats can be controlled to provide them with necessary mechanical property and induction during the cell culture process [12].…”

CLSVOF Method to Study the Formation Process of Taylor Cone in Crater‐Like Electrospinning of Nanofibers

“…In previous studies, the effects of different process parameters on the fabrication of nanofibers in crater-like electrospinning have been investigated [19,20]. Recently, a multiphysics coupled FEM method was tentatively suggested to simulate the formation of crater-like Taylor Cone [21]. However, there is little literature in which the crater-like solution blowup structure has been studied systematically.…”

A Scaling Model for Predicting the Gas-Channel Formation Period in Crater-Like Electrospinning of Nanofibers

“…Most previous studies have given the readers basic knowledge for understanding the process [12][13][14]. Unfortunately, almost all the previous literatures paid their attention on the fabrication of nanofibers.…”