Near-Field Electrospinning: Crucial Parameters, Challenges, and Applications

Abstract

Near-field electrospinning (NFES) is a micro-or nanofiber production technology based on jetting molten polymer or polymer solution. Thanks to the programmable collector and nozzle movement, it can generate designed patterns in the presence of an electric field. Despite a few shortcomings of NFES, its high resolution, simplicity, precision, high throughput, reproducibility, and low costs have convinced researchers to employ it for various purposes. Furthermore, as the paradigm of fiber-based structures shifts from random textures toward delicate designs, NFES can bridge the gap between existing inefficient processes and aspired technologies for precise patterning. NFES facilitates the production of ultrafine nanofibers because it can be used to fabricate them in every laboratory. These robust fibers are convenient tools for small and additive manufacturing. As such, NFES is considered a potent additive fabrication technology that facilitates the production of complicated patterns as well. It is suggested that near-field electrospun fibers exhibit outstanding results in various applications, owing to their precise and controllable positioning. Meanwhile, the ongoing development of NFES has yet to reach its climax, making it attractive for further research. In this review, the basic principles of NFES, derivatives, limitations, and applications in nanomanufacturing, tissue engineering, microscale electronics, biosensors, and optics are presented.

Recent advances in melt electro writing for tissue engineering for 3D printing of microporous scaffolds for tissue engineering

“…In contrast to SES, near-field electrospinning achieves controllable fiber deposition by reducing the collector distance significantly to eliminate whipping. In comparison with near-field electrospinning, MEW has the considerable advantage of less complicated and more precise fiber stacking into multiple layers ( Nazemi et al, 2022 ). Only the incorporation of additives or the cumbersome combination with other 3D printing methods enables near-field electrospinning the preparation of high aspect ratio constructs ( Kim et al, 2008 ; Gill et al, 2020 ).…”

Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Near-Field Electrospinning System for Optimizing PVDF Fibers with High Piezoelectric Performance

“…In the FFES, high voltage (10−50 kV) is required for continuous electrospinning. 11 The jet is spiral before reaching the collector, and the deposition position of the fibers cannot be controlled and is disordered. 12 In the NFES, only 0.2−12 kV voltages are required.…”

“…Therefore, electrospun PVDF fibers are widely used in actuators, sensors, battery separators, nanogenerators, and biomedical applications. − According to the distance classification between the spinneret and the collector, the distance of 5–50 cm is far-field electrospinning (FFES), and the distance of less than 1 cm is near-field electrospinning (NFES). In the FFES, high voltage (10–50 kV) is required for continuous electrospinning . The jet is spiral before reaching the collector, and the deposition position of the fibers cannot be controlled and is disordered .…”

Additively-Manufactured High-Concentration Nanocellulose Composites: Structure and Mechanical Properties

“…With the rapid development of fiber fabrication technologies, including wet electrospinning, several toxic aqueous solvents, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, ethanol, calcium chloride, and acetone, were used for coagulation purposes of nanocellulose fibers which can be harmful to health and the environment [ 17 ]. Moreover, the high setup cost for electrospinning nanocellulose suspensions equipment and processing NLCFs to fabrics via traditional weaving setups is another challenging issue due to the nanosized diameter of filaments, reflecting expensive NLCFs compared to synthetic fibers [ 18 , 19 ]. High setup cost is the main reason for using nanocellulose as a nanofiller in polymer resins or as reinforced films in polymer composites.…”