Methods for increasing productivity of AC-electrospinning using weir-electrode

Abstract

Abstract The presented work brings new knowledge in the field of spinning electrodes for AC‑electrospinning technology, which is used for producing nanofibrous structures using a solution of polyvinyl butyral. It presents new types of spinning weir‑electrodes and describes research on the influence of electrode design parameters on the stability of the spinning process and the productivity of nanofiber production. The multistage spinning electrode is presented in the ratio of stages one to five. Research is also focused on the effect of the parameters of the electric signal used as a source for the spinning electrode on spinning stability and productivity. Observed parameters were voltage level, frequency and shape such as sine wave, rectangle wave and modified sine wave. An analysis of the influence of the spinning conditions on the resulting nanofibrous structure was also performed by analyzing results gained by SEM; the defects were investigated mainly. The results of the research presented in the thesis open up new possibilities for follow-up research in the field of AC-electrospinning.

Keywords

• Nanofibers
• Electrospinning
• AC electrospinning
• Spinning electrode
• Electric field