Continuous micron-scaled rope engineering using a rotating multi-nozzle electrospinning emitter

Chunchen Zhang, Chengcheng Gao, Ming Wei Chang, Zeeshan Ahmad, Jing Song Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Electrospinning (ES) enables simple production of fibers for broad applications (e.g., biomedical engineering, energy storage, and electronics). However, resulting structures are predominantly random; displaying significant disordered fiber entanglement, which inevitably gives rise to structural variations and reproducibility on the micron scale. Surface and structural features on this scale are critical for biomaterials, tissue engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences. In this letter, a modified ES technique using a rotating multi-nozzle emitter is developed and utilized to fabricate continuous micron-scaled polycaprolactone (PCL) ropes, providing control on fiber intercalation (twist) and structural order. Micron-scaled ropes comprising 312 twists per millimeter are generated, and rope diameter and pitch length are regulated using polymer concentration and process parameters. Electric field simulations confirm vector and distribution mechanisms, which influence fiber orientation and deposition during the process. The modified fabrication system provides much needed control on reproducibility and fiber entanglement which is crucial for electrospun biomedical materials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number151903
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume109
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 10 Oct 2016

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