On the Ejection of Filaments of Polymer Solutions Triggered by a Micrometer-Scale Mixing Mechanism

Polymer filaments constitute precursor materials of so-called fiber mats, ubiquitous structures across cutting-edge technological fields. Thus, approaches that contribute to large-scale production of fibers are desired from an industrial perspective. Here, we use a robust liquid atomization device operated at relatively high flow rates, ~20 mL/min, as facilitating technology for production of multiple polymer filaments. The method relies on a turbulent, energetically efficient micro-mixing mechanism taking place in the interior of the device. The micro-mixing is triggered by radial implosion of a gas current into a liquid feeding tube, thus resulting in breakup of the liquid surface. We used poly(ethylene oxide) solutions of varying concentrations as test liquids to study their fragmentation and ejection dynamics employing ultra-high speed imaging equipment. Taking an energy cascade approach, a scaling law for filament diameter was proposed based on gas pressure, liquid flow rate and viscosity. We find that a filament dimensionless diameter, Df*, scales as a non-dimensional liquid flow rate Q* to the 1/5. The study aims to elucidate the underlying physics of liquid ejection for further applications in material production.