Process investigation of nanofiber diameter based on linear needleless spinneret by response surface methodology

Abstract

Needleless electrsopinning is of a great attention to researcher in industrial production of nanofibers for nearly ten years. Many innovative and different shapes needleless spinnerets are designed and then used to fabricate mass nanofibers. There are a lot of reports about spinning process parameters. In this study, we developed a novel linear flume needleless spinneret to fabricate nanofiber. The finite element analysis software was used to simulate electric field contour of different included angle spinneret. The curves of electric field intensity were drawn to evaluate the tip electric field intensity of spinneret. In addition, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was adopted to investigate the effect of process parameters on nanofiber diameter. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional response surface contour were obtained to discuss the interaction of the different process parameters. This work provided a novel idea and approach for optimizing design of the needleless spinneret through numerical simulation method. Investigation of process parameter could guide the controllable production of desired nanofibers.

Keywords

• Electrospinning
• Nanofiber
• Diameter
• Electric field
• Spinneret
• Response surface