The mechanism of forming a roughness surface through a liquid-phase induction process between fiber and colloid

Abstract

Self-organization between fiber and colloid in a liquid phase induction process is an effective method to modify the electrospinning fiber membrane (EFM). However, how to obtain the desired morphology of smooth surface or rough surface by liquid phase induction process is a challenge. In this study, the self-organization morphology between EFM and colloid solution by liquid phase induction process was investigated. The capillary action of the EFM caused the solvent/non-solvent solution to form microfluidics on the EFM during the liquid phase induction process and caused the colloid to be uniformly dispersed. The capillary action of the EFM created a confined space that only limited the flow of the solution and colloid, but not the volatilization of the solution during the liquid phase induction process. The EFM had a reversible respiration process, the surface free energy and pore volume of EFM were related to the reversible respiration, and the respiration process of EFM was related to the self-organization process during the liquid phase induction. The energy consumption mechanism of self-organization morphology between colloid with EFM in the confined space during the liquid phase induction process was related to the effects of colloid particle size, the reversible respiration process of EFM, and the surface free energy of EFM. Among the mechanism of factors to form a roughness surface, the reversible respiration process plays a more important role than the surface free energy of EFM, pore volume of the EFM and Re of the liquid. Furthermore, the rough surface morphology preferred to form on the EFM which had high surface free energy than low surface free energy.