Experimental investigation of electrohydrodynamic modes in electrospraying of viscoelastic polymeric solutions

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to explore the role of viscoelastic properties of polymeric solutions on mode transitions in the electrospray process. By adjusting the applied electric potential between the nozzle and the collecting substrate, various electrohydrodynamic (EHD) modes were photographed by using a high-speed camera. Then, the effect of operating parameters on the droplet size in the dripping mode and the jet profile in the jet mode was investigated. By categorizing the EHD modes of each viscoelastic solution into dimensionless operating maps, it can be seen that by increasing the solution concentration, the extents of dripping mode and beads-on-a-string structure dwindle, while the jet stabilizes in a wider range of electric capillary numbers. Furthermore, contrary to deionized water, when the applied voltage escalates, the stick jet mode is observed where the jet sticks to the outer surface of the nozzle and the asymptotic thickness of the jet falls.