Electrohydrodynamic atomization: A two-decade effort to produce and process micro-/nanoparticulate materials

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA), or electrospray, has evolved from a century-old technique to a modern method for micro-/nanostructured material production since the 1990s.
• EHDA offers a simple and flexible experimental setup, enabling precise control over the composition, structure, size, morphology, and shape of generated particulate materials.
• The technique is valuable for depositing these micro- and nanoparticulate materials onto surfaces in a controlled manner, finding applications in pharmaceuticals, food, and healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of the electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) technique for preparing, processing, and assembling micro-/nanostructured materials.
• To elucidate the mechanisms, experimental setups, and critical parameters for controlling material properties and assembly using EHDA.
• To highlight the potential applications of EHDA-generated materials, particularly in drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) principles, mechanisms, and experimental setups.
• Discussion of critical factors influencing the characteristics of particulate materials (composition, size, shape, morphology, structure) produced by EHDA.
• Exploration of simulation and mathematical modeling of Taylor cone-jet formation, particle transport, and deposition in EHDA processes.

Main Results:

• EHDA enables the controlled generation and assembly of micro-/nanostructured materials with tailored properties.
• Successful control over material composition, size, shape, morphology, and structure is achievable through EHDA.
• Simulation and modeling provide deeper insights into parameter control for preparation, collection, and patterning.

Conclusions:

• Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) is a powerful and adaptable technique for creating advanced micro-/nanostructured materials.
• The controlled fabrication and assembly capabilities of EHDA offer significant potential in diverse fields, including drug delivery and regenerative medicine.
• Future research directions and possibilities in EHDA for micro-/nanoparticulate material science are promising.