Tailoring the Diameters of Electro-Mechanically Spun Fibers by Controlling Their Deborah Numbers

Abstract

Polymer solutions with different concentrations of SU-8 2002/poly(ethylene) glycol/tetrabutyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (SU-8/PEO/TBATFB) were electrospun in a low-voltage near-field electrospinning platform (LVNFES) at different velocities. Their diameters were related to the concentration contents as well as to their Deborah (De) numbers, which describes the elasticity of the polymer solution under determined operating conditions. We found a direct correlation between the concentration of PEO/TBATFB, the De and the diameter of the fibers. Fibers with diameters as thin as 465 nm can be achieved for De ≈ 1.

Investigation of the Mechanical and Dynamic-Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone Membranes: A Design of Experiment Approach

“…The typical electrospinning set-up leads to randomly oriented nano-or microfibers exhibiting isotropic mechanical properties which usually show a lesser performance compared to other types of polymeric products (e.g., films, hydrogels, etc.) [28,29]. To overcome such limitations, the use of engineered collectors able to promote the fibre orientation along single or multiple directions has been recently and successfully investigated, giving rise to the development of extremely diversified structures with peculiar properties [30][31][32][33].…”

Numerical Modeling of a Short-Dwell Coater for Bio-Based Coating Applications

“…Figure 10c shows the distribution of the y-normal stress component along the length of the paper. It is evident that the polymer chains experienced stronger extension with increasing Deborah number in a longitudinal direction [46] and the shear thinning acted as a damping factor.…”

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

“…Although their device might have limitations regarding ink options, 74 they suggested that their scheme facilitated controllable fiber deposition, improved the safety of the procedure, and diminished the environmental risks. Furthermore, Flores-Hernandez and colleagues 75 further explored low-voltage near-field electrospinning (i.e., possible polymer ink options and their crucial properties) and introduced polymer fiber initiation through establishing direct contact between the droplet at the tip of the nozzle and the substrate. Notably, if the polymer exhibits favorable superelastic properties, the jet can be stretched to incredible strains without breaking, at a very low voltage of 200 V. 23 Finally, Wang et al 76 prepared a multinozzle near-field electrospinning setup, and Liashenko et al 49 introduced an in situ jet speed monitoring and manipulation strategy intended to increase printing efficiency and speed.…”

“…31,43 Namely, Zheng et al 147 utilized a sharp guiding tip under the collector and produced robust 3D structures with 10−80 layers of fibers. Furthermore, Liashenko et al 49 and Flores-Hernandez et al 75 proposed an in situ jet monitoring arrangement and a low-voltage NFES setup, respectively. Researchers can combine these strategies or draw inspiration from them for future innovations.…”

“…Numerous scientists have utilized various guiding electrodes and electric field stimulation techniques to yield aligned nanofibers via conventional electrospinning; however, their innovations are not confined to it and can be employed in NFES as well. , Namely, Zheng et al utilized a sharp guiding tip under the collector and produced robust 3D structures with 10–80 layers of fibers. Furthermore, Liashenko et al and Flores-Hernandez et al proposed an in situ jet monitoring arrangement and a low-voltage NFES setup, respectively. Researchers can combine these strategies or draw inspiration from them for future innovations.…”