Key Parameters Influencing the Onset and Maintenance of the Electrospinning Jet

Abstract

Electrospinning is a process by which submicron polymer fibers can be generated through use of an electrostatically driven jet of polymer solution. Use of electrospun nanofibers in electronic, biomedical, and protective clothing applications often involves the incorporation of some sort of functionalized particulate (i.e. carbon nanotubes, activated carbon, clay silicates, etc.). The current work uses conventional and high speed imaging techniques to study the motion of particles in the linear portion of electrostatically driven jets of Polyethylene oxide/water solutions. Observation of the motion of carbon particles using conventional video reveals the presence of eddy currents in the meniscus from which the jet originates. High-speed video of the motion of urethane particles in the liquid jet has been used to measure jet velocities, which range from 1-2 meters/second depending on initial processing conditions. The effect of solution viscosity, field strength, and flow rate on jet velocity and shear rate have implications for the scale up of the electrospinning process and are discussed in detail.