Needleless electrospinning system with wire spinneret: an alternative way to control morphology, size, and productivity of nanofibers

Abstract

Electrospinning is a versatile method to produce nanofibers. Electrospun nanofibers have been extensively used in many industrial applications such as wound dressing, sensor, protective clothing, and filters. However, producing nanofibers efficiently through a single-needle electrospinning technique is still challenging. In this study, a system of needleless electrospinning with a wire spinneret was utilized to produce Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibers. Process parameters comprised concentration of solution, applied voltage, flow rate of solution, collection distance, and diameter of the wire spinneret were altered to examine morphology, diameter, and productivity of the produced fibers. SEM images showed that morphology of the produced fibers was affected by concentration of PVP solution. Moreover, diameter of the produced fibers could be varied by controlling the process parameters. Our needleless electrospinning system has proved to be more productive in producing fibers than the single-needle electrospinning system.

Obtaining Polyvinylpyrrolidone Fibers Using the Electroforming Method with the Inclusion of Microcrystalline High-Temperature Phosphates

“…These vibrations represent vas and vs. modes of P-O-P in the P 2 O 7 2− ion, respectively [40]. Functional groups are present in the pyrophosphate phase [33]. The bands at 1213 cm −1 and 1157 cm −1 can be attributed to the stretching vibrations of the P=O ion in PO 4…”

“…The electrospinning method makes it possible to obtain non-woven materials with fibers ranging in size from micrometers to nanometers [31,32]. This range of fiber sizes allows for greater specific surface area and flexibility in performing surface functions than any other known form of material [33]. Due to these outstanding properties, polymer nanofibers are optimal candidates for many important applications in biomedical fields: polymer nonwoven fibers are used in drug delivery systems [16], and nonwoven fibers have a large surface area suitable for cell attachment [33].…”

Fabrication of Gelatin Nanofibers by Electrospinning—Mixture of Gelatin and Polyvinyl Alcohol

“…Both electrical conductance and pH value are only minimally affected by the concentrations of gelatin/PVA. Thus, the statistical inference from the data indicates that the formation of nanofibers by electrospinning is largely determined by the viscosity of the polymeric solution and surface tension, which suits the mechanisms of electrospinning [58][59][60][61]. It is particularly instructive for the case of pure PVA, whose relatively lower surface eases the stretching by the electrical field in electrospinning, but higher viscosity prevents overstretching beyond the Plateau-Rayleigh instability to become droplets.…”

The History of Electrospinning: Past, Present, and Future Developments

“…In situ (handheld) [91] Ethanol Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) Needleless (wire) [92] Ethanol/diacetone alcohol Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyamide pellets Mono-axial [93] Ethanol/water Chitin propionate and PEO Mono-axial (blend) [94] Ethyl acetate/acetic acid Ethylcellulose polyglycerol polyricinoleate (surfactant) + polyethylene glycol (PEG)…”