More on Electrospinning

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Electrospinning uses strong electric field to draw out polymeric materials in liquid form – polymer solution or melt – into nanoscale fibres. A typical system consists of a container for the polymer solution or melt (e.g syringe), a pumping mechanism to push the liquid through a needle, a grounded collector and a power source to apply high voltage between the tip of the needle and the collector. The collector can be a cylinder or flat object or combination of both, and can be rotated during the process. Thus large area and roll-to-roll production are easily implemented. Composites or mixtures of polymers and inorganic materials can also be electrospun to produce hybrid fibres with tailored properties.

Under an appropriate electric field, the liquid becomes charged, leading to electrostatic repulsion overwhelming surface tension (an inward tending, cohesive force). This leads to formation of charged jets if the molecular cohesion of the liquid is strong enough to withstand the liquid being broken up. The jets are dried in flight (between the tip of the syringe and the grounded collector), elongated by electrostatic repulsion and deposited on the collector as nanofibers. The parameters for controlling the quality and properties of electrospun fibres include 1) solution properties: viscosity, concentration, molecular weight of polymer, surface tension and conductivity; 2) process parameters: applied voltage, flow rate, rotational speed of collector, and distance between syringe tip and collector; 3) atmospheric conditions.

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Single or dual syringe units are available. Electrospinning with double syringe is useful for micro/nano encapsulation or composite/hybrid fibres for tailored applications

Electrospun fibres have high surface to volume ratios, tunable porosity and composition. The MultiCoater gives you the option of two syringes (containers) with different materials for preparation of nanoencapsulated fibres. All these make electrospinning a veritable tool for preparing materials for exciting applications in tissue engineering, drug release, catalysis, (bio)sensors, membrane filtration (e.g nanofiltration), renewable energy and many more