Active generation of multiple jets for producing nanofibres with high quality and high throughput

Abstract

Electrospinning is believed to be the most effective technique to produce micro- and nanofibre membrane which have been applied in various high-tech areas, including biomedical science, filtration, energy storage and electronic/optical devices, etc. A major challenge needing to surmount is the mass production of nanofibre membrane. Previous techniques such as multiple needle electrospinning and needleless electrospinning greatly improve the nanofibre throughput but bring about some problems simultaneously (poor quality of fiber, limit of polymer category). Here we present a novel technique using needle-disk as spinneret to enhance nanofibre throughput and maintain high quality nanofibre. Unlike previous researches of needleless electrospinning, needles on disk provide sites of jet initiation, showing an active and more controllable process of multiple jets generation. Simulation of electric field showed that electric field strongly concentrating on tip of every needle makes it easier to produce nanofibre with finer fiber diameter at relative low voltage. Moreover, this technique is capable of fabricating nanofibre from various materials with high quality as traditional single-needle electrospinning can do. This reliable technology with simple apparatus is not only convenient and efficient for laboratory use but also great practical for industrialization, suggesting profound significance for preparation and application of nano-materials.