Development of Coaxial Air-blown Electrospinning Process for Manufacturing Non-woven Nanofiber. I. Morphology Changes in Non-woven Nanofiber

Abstract

This study led to the development of an electro-coaxial air blown spinning system, which involves using a sheath-core nozzle for electrospinning, and the authors examined how the morphology of the fabricated nanofiber changed according to four process parameters. When the morphology changes of the nanofiber were analyzed using different process parameters, the increase in air flow rate was accompanied by the decrease in fiber diameter owing to shear force. On the other hand, as the concentration of the solution increased, the diameter of the nanofiber increased owing to the force of attraction between polymer chains. In addition, the diameter of the nanofiber decreased at a higher voltage owing to increasing orientation and the whipping phenomenon. Finally, when the tip to collector distance (TCD) was too close, it was difficult to obtain a perfect fiber, and the fiber produced in such a scenario was excessively thick and flat. However, when the TCD exceeded a certain value, no change in diameter of the nanofiber was observed. An intelligent prediction model needs to be developed to apply the results of this study to real processes.