Continuous Near-Field Electrospraying Using a Glass Capillary Nozzle

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Electrospray is a versatile technique for material deposition.
• Traditional electrospray methods face challenges in achieving high-resolution micropatterning.
• Near-field techniques offer potential for enhanced spatial control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a continuous near-field electrospray process for micropattern deposition.
• To investigate the influence of experimental parameters on micropattern formation.
• To establish a simple and controllable method for on-demand micro-/nano-pattern fabrication.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a continuous near-field electrospray setup with a shortened nozzle-to-substrate distance (<5 mm).
• Employed a glass capillary nozzle with a diameter in the tens of microns.
• Investigated the effects of applied voltage, flow rate, nozzle diameter, and deposition time.

Main Results:

• Achieved steady and continuous electrospray ejection.
• Generated micropatterns with line widths below 100 μm.
• Determined that critical voltage increases with nozzle-to-substrate distance and flow rate.
• Observed that line width is influenced by applied voltage, flow rate, nozzle diameter, and deposition time.

Conclusions:

• The developed continuous near-field electrospray process enables precise micropatterning.
• This method provides a simple and effective route for on-demand deposition of micro-/nano-patterns.
• The findings offer valuable insights for optimizing electrospray parameters for high-resolution fabrication.