High-throughput nanofiber produced by needleless electrospinning using a metal dish as the spinneret

Abstract

In the research field of functional materials, electrospinning has become one of the most effective methods to produce nanofiber. The traditional electrospinning method often uses a hollow metal needle to prepare nanofiber with minimal throughput. In this paper, we used needleless electrospinning technology to produce high-throughput nanofiber by using a metal dish as the spinneret. A finite element method has been adopted to investigate electric potential and electric field strength of the spinneret under different applied voltages and collection distance. The effects of different process parameters, including solution concentration, applied voltage and collection distance, on the throughput and diameter of nanofiber have been investigated in the experiment. Narrow distribution nanofiber can be prepared successfully. This novel method of using a metal dish as the spinneret will make a contribution to the development of needleless electrospinning for the production of high-throughput nanofiber.