Effect of Solution Parameters on Spontaneous Jet Formation and Throughput in Edge Electrospinning from a Fluid-Filled Bowl

The process of edge electrospinning relies on forming electricfield-induced instabilities (i.e., jets) in a polymer solution bath which act as sources for nanofiber production. As such, it depends on the fundamental interactions between the fluid and the electric field, which are studied in this report as a function of solution parameters (viscosity, surface tension, and conductivity). Over a wide range of conditions, experimental observations including time required for initial jet formation, total number of jets, feed rate per jet, and resultant fiber diameter are reported and compared with theoretical predictions. The presently realized fiber throughput is 40× a single needle approach while maintaining similar high fiber quality. Two distinct voltage intervals are utilized to generate many fiber-forming instabilities: a high level for jet creation and then reduced amplitude for fiber production. This dual-stage approach relies on hysteresis in Taylor cone-jet formation, wherein a larger voltage is required to create a jet-emitting cone than to maintain it.