Simulation of Nanofibers Movement for Near-Field Electrospinning

Abstract

NFES is a new and simple way to realize precision-positioning of nanofiber. A model on NFES nanofiber movement is built to analyze the effects of the existed nanofibers which have been collected on the substrate, on the nanofiber’s dropping movement. During electrospinning nanofiber is affected by the electric field force, Coulomb repulsive force, air resistance force gravity and so on. The influence of parameters on the deposition behavior of as-spun nanofiber is discussed. The simulation results show that (i) with charge density increasing, the final spacing between mass center of nanofibers A and B (FSAB) increases and the movement distance of center-of-mass of nanofiber B (MDB) decreases first and then increases; (ii) FSAB increases with applied voltage, but decreased in narrow range with concentration of PEO increasing; (iii) FSAB decreased with the initial spacing between mass center of nanofibers A and B (ISAB) increasing, and then it increases after reaching the minimum. So does ISAB to DMB. This simulation model would improve the controlling of nanofiber in NFES.

Robot-aided electrospinning toward intelligent biomedical engineering

“…To fabricate nanofibers, one electrode of DC high-voltage supply is connected to the needle of the syringe, and the polymer is ejected to the target collector from the top of the needle. During the process, the polymer droplets are held by the surface tension at the needle, which collects the charge on the surface induced by the electric field, while it receives an electric field force which is opposite to the surface tension [ 13 ]. The droplets are pulled from spherical to cone-shaped structure named Taylorcone.…”

“…However, the electric field force will overcome the surface tension of the liquid when it increases to a critical value [ 14 ]. The polymer jet occurs under the influence of high electric field, resulting in extremely high-frequency irregular spiral motion [ 13 ]. Ultimately, a fiber of nanometer diameter is formed and scattered on the collector in a random manner to form a non-woven fabric [ 15 ].…”

Research and Development in Electrospinning Theory and Technology

“…Now many people studied the linear electrospinning, others using it as the stable segment of electrospinning[11][12][13]. Wang built a Near-Field electrospinning model to analyze the effects of the existed nanofibers on the dropping process of nanofiber[14]. The schematic diagram of the model and its force analysis is shown in Fig2.All the theoretical research produced a great guiding significance on the development of electrospinning.…”