Controlled electrospinning to produce polymer nanofibers with specified diameters

Abstract

Rapidly growing needs for large-scale industrial production of polymer nanofibers produced by electrospining require better control on electrospinning. Essential electrical aspects of electrospinning are often ignored. Observations of electrical phenomenon and adjustments of experimental variables in an electrospinning process are needed to create a feedback system for controlled electrospinning. In this paper, conductivity of the polymer solution, together with concentration and surface tension of the polymer solution, were adjusted to conduct controlled electrospinning. Nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile and polyvinylidene fluoride were successfully electrospun, with specified diameters in the range from 100 nm to 400 nm.