Prediction of nanofiber diameter and optimization of electrospinning process via response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain a more systematic understanding of the electrospinning conditions of polyamide 6 solutions. This method was used to establish a quantitative basis for the relationships between the electrospinning parameters such as applied electric field, the polymer concentrations, the rate of injection and nozzle-collector distance with the diameter of the produced nanofibers, and to predict the optimum conditions for electrospinning to produce nanofibers with controlled size. A response function was empirically determined by central composite design (CCD) using fiber diameter as an observed response and the electrospinning parameters as variables. The relationship between the response and the variables is visualized by a response surface or contour plots. The study of the graphical representations of contour plots, prediction formulas and prediction profiler can predict the operating conditions necessary to generate nanofibers with the desired diameters.