Fiber trajectory tracking of centrifugal spinning and coupled-forces field effects on jet motion stability

Abstract

High-speed centrifugal spinning holds excellent potential as a promising approach for nanofiber manufacturing due to its various raw materials, low environmental requirements, and high preparation efficiency. However, continuous jet movement and trajectory tracking on the action of gravity, centrifugal force, Coriolis force, viscous force, and air resistance remain significant challenges. Therefore, the present article has developed a polymer jet motion model based on the momentum equation, continuity equation, and constitutive equation of non-Newtonian fluid to explore the influence of spinning parameters on jet motion. Moreover, curved fiber trajectory in the centrifugal field, jet velocity distribution, and variation of air velocity around the nozzle have been simulated using the discrete phase model in terms of different angular velocities and solution concentrations. It is found that the angular velocity affects the formation of the jet trajectory. Furthermore, the solution concentration determines the attenuation of the jet velocity. Therefore, centrifugal spinning experiments have been carried out to verify the correctness of the results and theoretical analysis gained from the research. Scanning electron microscope observations show nanofibers with 6 wt% polyethylene oxide solution at 5500 rpm have better morphology and quality.