Effects of Electric Field on the Multi-jet Electrospinning Process and Fiber Morphology

摘要

Single-needle systems have been used in the electrospinning experimental research; but, the low fluid throughput in fiber production has industrial limitations. To meet a high liquid throughput requirement, several multi-jet schemes have been tested in the recent past. The main drawback of these schemes is the deterioration of the local electric field at the needle tip due to the influence of other needles in the arrangement. The aim of the present work is to investigate the electric field distribution in 2-needle arrangements by using finite element analysis. The effects of the orientation of needles on the electric field distribution and hence on the electrospinning process are discussed by using a polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution.