Simulation of Electric Field Intensity and Electrostatic Force in Electrospinning System Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

In this paper, Finite element method (FEM) is utilized for analyzing relationship between maximum electric force, maximum electric field intensity (MEFI) and electric field distribution and system parameters such as distance between received plane and needle tube, radius of received plane, size of needle tube and size of screen box. Simulation results of finite element analysis show the electrostatic force and MEFI decrease at first, then increase nonlinearly with increasing of size of screen box. Electrostatic force and MEFI increase with increasing of voltage. Electrostatic force and MEFI decrease with increasing of distance between needle and collection plane. The electrostatic force on needle tube increases, but MEFI decreases when the length of needle increases. The electrostatic force on unit needle tube will decrease nonlinearly with increasing of the length of needle. Electrostatic force and MEFI will increase nonlinearly with increasing of radius of collection plane. However, low electric field intensity (EFI) district will appear between parallel needle tubes for multi-needles electrospinning system, and some nanofibers will be drawn in this district by electrostatic force. Finite element simulation can guide parameters optimization in electrospinning process and improvement of electrospinning devices which is in favor of saving investigation cost.