High detail resolution cellulose structures through electroprinting

Electrospinning is a technique used to fabricate polymer fibers in micro- and nanoscales. Due to the large distance between the nozzle and collector, there is a limited positioning accuracy of electrospun fibers. To enhance the possibility of fabricating structures with micrometer placement, an electroprinting technique has been developed. By reducing the distance between the nozzle and the collector it is demonstrated that it is possible to get an improved control over fiber positioning which gives a possibility to fabricate designed 3D structures at the micron scale. In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) has been selected as a biomaterial to advance the 3D printing of membranes with possible use in separation applications. Various parameters, such as CA concentration and molecular weight, printing speed, printing pattern, applied voltage, etc. are evaluated with respect to printing control. Results indicate that by optimizing the printing parameters it is possible to print structures with inter- fiber distances down to 3 µm and fiber diameters at a sub-µm scale. This electroprinting development is promising for the fabrication of customized separation membranes. However, printing speed still remains a challenge.