Bubble Melt Electrospinning for Production of Polymer Microfibers

Abstract

In this paper, we report an interesting bubble melt electrospinning (e-spinning) to produce polymer microfibers. Usually, melt e-spinning for fabricating ultrafine fibers needs “Taylor cone”, which is formed on the tip of the spinneret. The spinneret is also the bottleneck for mass production in melt e-spinning. In this work, a metal needle-free method was tried in the melt e-spinning process. The “Taylor cone” was formed on the surface of the broken polymer melt bubble, which was produced by an airflow. With the applied voltage ranging from 18 to 25 kV, the heating temperature was about 210–250 °C, and polyurethane (TPU) and polylactic acid (PLA) microfibers were successfully fabricated by this new melt e-spinning technique. During the melt e-spinning process, polymer melt jets ejected from the burst bubbles could be observed with a high-speed camera. Then, polymer microfibers could be obtained on the grounded collector. The fiber diameter ranged from 45 down to 5 μm. The results indicate that bubble melt e-spinning may be a promising method for needleless production in melt e-spinning.

Impact of Apparatus Orientation and Gravity in Electrospinning—A Review of Empirical Evidence

“…There have been conflicting reports on whether gravity is really a factor in melt electrospinning or not. While some studies acknowledge that the gravitational force plays a part in the spinning process [ 49 , 59 , 60 , 61 ], others believe that it is eclipsed by the electrostatic force [ 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].…”

“…Experimentalists doing bottom-up electrospinning typically report larger fibre diameters because the fibre has to overcome the gravitational force and reach the collector [ 59 ]. In another notable study with top-down electrospinning where the researchers developed a “printability number” for electrospinning, gravity was considered one of the downward pulling forces that help to overcome the viscous and elastic stresses applied to the polymer melt [ 61 ].…”

Melt Electrospinning Designs for Nanofiber Fabrication for Different Applications

“…A recent bubble melt electrospinning process was proposed by Li to increase the yield production of microfiber [83]. The melt electrospinning setup was similar to that of Fang except for the rotating disc, where an air pump was used instead.…”

Biomimicry in Bio-Manufacturing: Developments in Melt Electrospinning Writing Technology Towards Hybrid Biomanufacturing

“…Morikawa and coworkers [68] established a new setup as wire melt electrospinning and a down-stream non-isothermal heating method as an extra heating source for melt electrospinning in order to reduce the fiber diameter [69]. Another method called bubble melt electrospinning was proposed by Li et al [70] to eliminate the needle and reduce the fiber diameter. Besides, a research group prepared an umbellate spinneret for mass production reason, rather than applying multiple nozzles [71].…”