Applying the Genetic Algorithm for determination Electrospinning Parameters of Poly Vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Nano Fibers: Theoretical & Experimental Analysis

Abstract

Poly Vinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) because of its piezoelectric properties has been applied in different applications such as smart textiles, medical application and membranes for energy harvesting. It was declared that nanofibres diameters and electrospinning parameters could be enhanced the piezoelectric properties of these materials. The main objective of this paper is applying the Genetic Algorithm (GA) to determine the optimum condition of solution parameters and processing conditions based on the desired diameter size of PVDF fibers to produce the fibers without any structural faults. In this method, The Fitness function was determined by a simple analytical model presented by Fridrikh. Toward approving the GA results the experimental tests were done. the effect of four parameters such as flow rate of the polymer solution, electrospinning voltage, electrospinning distance and polymer concentration on the fiber formation and fiber diameter size of electrospun PVDF fibers have been explored by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to attest the accuracy of the model. Assessment of experimental and theoretical results show that electrospinning parameters determined by GA method leads to achieve desire fiber diameters. Because of time and energy consuming of electrospinning process, the GA method may be useful to achieve desired fiber diameter by determining electrospinning parameters for polymers prior to fiber production.

Effects of Solvent and Electrospinning Parameters on the Morphology and Piezoelectric Properties of PVDF Nanofibrous Membrane

“…Beads, nanofibers with nonuniform morphology and various diameters, can be found in the membranes. It can be seen from the literature [ 31 , 32 ] that when these solvents are applied, similar phenomena frequently occur in the PVDF membrane.…”

“…Beads, nanofibers with nonuniform morphology and various diameters, can be found in the membranes. It can be seen from the literature [31,32] that when these solvents are applied, similar phenomena frequently occur in the PVDF membrane. Figure 4 presents the SEM images at two magnifications and the diameter histogram of the PVDF nanofibrous membrane (M3-M7).…”

Exploring Electrospun Scaffold Innovations in Cardiovascular Therapy: A Review of Electrospinning in Cardiovascular Disease

“…Because a polymeric solution’s viscosity is closely related to its concentration, molecular weight, and surface tension, the effects of modifying these parameters are often tightly linked [ 4 ]. Based on studies performed on a wide variety of polymers, it was observed that imperfections in the form of beading and droplets can occur at low polymer solution concentrations due to the initiation of electrospraying rather than electrospinning [ 4 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. On the other hand, exceptionally high concentrations are associated with the production of non-nanoscaled and helix-shaped microribbons rather than the intended smooth nanofibers [ 4 , 8 , 12 ].…”

Enhanced piezoelectric performance of electrospun PVDF nanofibers by regulating the solvent systems

“…10,11 Piezoelectric materials can generate electrical energy when subjected to mechanical deformation. [12][13][14] Piezoelectric polymers have many advantages due to their lightweight, flexibility, and simple manufacturing process compared with other piezoelectric materials. 15,16 Therefore, they are used for various applications such as wearable sensors, actuators, artificial skin, energy harvesting, drug delivery, wound healing, and so on.…”