Study of Variations of the Electrospinning Process

Abstract

Electrospinning has been considered a straightforward way of producing nano and micro fibers. In this work we are analyzing variations of the conventional electrospinning process to better understand and explore the effect of electrostatic interactions. The variations we are investigating include the insertion of polymer inside the electric field keeping the capillary for polymer injection at a floating potential. In this way we are exploring different mechanisms of charge induction. Also, we are using different setup configurations including: same as electrospinning, parallel macro and micro electrodes. Image analysis reveals the occurrence of instabilities/oscillations of the polymer flow (caused by redistribution of charges) leading to the deposition of fibers and improving polymer flow directionality. Fiber orientation on the substrate can be obtained using parallel macro and micro electrodes.

Study of Formation of Oriented Fibers Using Injection of Polymeric Solutions Inside Electric Fields Defined by Two Parallel Suspended Electrodes

“…A simple way of obtaining fiber orientation has been recently proposed by using the injection of polymer inside the electric field defined by two parallel electrodes and keeping the capillary for polymer injection at a floating potential (6). Here we present a ECS Transactions, 31 (1) 251-257 (2010) 10.1149/1.3474167 © The Electrochemical Society more detailed analysis of this approach.…”

Oriented Micro and Nanofibers Containing Polyethylene Oxide and Pectin

“…In this work, the formation of oriented fibers containing pectin is investigated by using a variation of the conventional electrospinning. This process consists of the injection of polymeric solution inside an intense electric field defined by two parallel floating ECS Transactions, 39 (1) 469-474 (2011) 10.1149/1.3615228 © The Electrochemical Society electrodes (7,8), as depicted in Figure 1. This approach, a modification of the conventional electrospinning process, allows obtaining micro-and nanofibers with lengths of centimeters, using solutions with polyethylene oxide (PEO) and chloroform.…”