Focused Patterning of Electrospun Nanofibers Using a Dielectric Guide Structure.

Byeongjun Lee,Jongwon Yoon,Jeongbeom Kang,Seongjin Cho,Chan Park,Haran Lee,Jungmin Kim,Younghyeon Song

doi:10.3390/polym13091505

Abstract

The patterning of electrospun fibers is a key technology applicable to various fields. This study reports a novel focused patterning method for electrospun nanofibers that uses a cylindrical dielectric guide. The finite elements method (FEM) was used to analyze the electric field focusing phenomenon and ground its explanation in established theory. The horizontal and vertical electric field strengths in the simulation are shown to be key factors in determining the spatial distribution of nanofibers. The experimental results demonstrate a relationship between the size of the cylindrical dielectric guide and that of the electrospun area accumulated in the collector. By concentrating the electric field, we were able to fabricate a pattern of less than 6 mm. The demonstration of continuous line and square patterning shows that the electrospun area can be well controlled. This novel patterning method can be used in a variety of applications, such as sensors, biomedical devices, batteries, and composites.

Highlights

IntroductionVarious methods can be used to control the electric field under which nanofibers are electrospun; parallel electrodes [19,20,21,22], an auxiliary electrode [23,24,25], a ring collector [26], or a side-wall electrode [27] can be fabricated from shaped continuous nanofibers
The needle tip is placed in the center of the cylindrical dielectric guide
The cylindrical dielectric guide focused the electric field in the space in which electrospinning occurs, and the electrospun nanofibers were able to be patterned without an additional power source

Summary

Introduction

Various methods can be used to control the electric field under which nanofibers are electrospun; parallel electrodes [19,20,21,22], an auxiliary electrode [23,24,25], a ring collector [26], or a side-wall electrode [27] can be fabricated from shaped continuous nanofibers. These studies use the interaction between the spinning jet and the electrostatic repulsion to control the behavior of the fiber and pattern the fiber.

Methods

Results

Conclusion