Multi-Jet Electrospinning with Auxiliary Electrode: The Influence of Solution Properties

Abstract

Multiple jets ejection in electrospinning has been a major approach to achieving a high production rate of ultrafine fibers, also known as nanofibers. This work studies the effect of solution parameters—including dielectric constant, polarity, conductivity and surface tension—on the jet number and jet evolution in the auxiliary electrode electrospinning approach. The results show that it is easier to generate 2–6 jets with short stable jet length (1.7–6.9 mm) under low voltage (5.03–7.13 kV) when solutions have higher dielectric constant (32.2–78.6) and larger surface tension (31.8–41.29 mN/m). The influence of solution properties on stable jet length and the influence of applied voltage to produce multiple jets are discussed in detail. This work provides a new perspective for understanding jet evolution and mass production of nanofibers in electrospinning.

Keywords

• electrospinning
• nanofibers
• multiple jets
• jet evolution