High-Throughput Fabrication of Quality Nanofibers Using a Modified Free Surface Electrospinning

Nanoscale Res Lett. 2017 Dec;12(1):470. doi: 10.1186/s11671-017-2240-4. Epub 2017 Jul 26.

Abstract

Based on bubble electrospinning (BE), a modified free surface electrospinning (MFSE) using a cone-shaped air nozzle combined with a solution reservoir made of copper tubes was presented to increase the production of quality nanofibers. In the MFSE process, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonates (SDBS) were added in the electrospun solution to generate bubbles on a liquid surface. The effects of applied voltage and generated bubbles on the morphology and production of nanofibers were investigated experimentally and theoretically. The theoretical analysis results of the electric field were in good agreement with the experimental data and showed that the quality and production of nanofibers were improved with the increase of applied voltage, and the generated bubbles would decrease the quality and production of nanofibers.

Keywords: Bubbles; Electrospinning; High throughput fabrication; Nanofibers; Polymers.