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Electrospinning Fundamentals: Optimizing Solution and Apparatus Parameters
Published on: January 21, 2011
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Novel Insights into Solution Electrospinning for Nanofibers
Chi Wang1, Pin-Hsien Lu1, Yin-Chuan Kuo1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan 70101, ROC.
Macromolecules
|March 2, 2026
Summary
This study reveals how fluid flow dynamics during electrospinning create nanofibers. Observed vortex flow in the Taylor cone leads to ordered structures, forming nanofibers through self-organization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Understanding nanofiber formation in electrospinning requires in situ observation of fluid flow.
- Previous hypotheses suggest flow-induced phase separation and dissipative structures in the straight jet section.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the flow behavior of charged fluids during electrospinning from the Taylor cone to the whipping jet.
- To elucidate the relationship between fluid dynamics and the self-organization of nanofibers.
Main Methods:
- Particle image velocimetry (PIV) for Taylor cone flow.
- Light scattering for straight jet analysis.
- High-speed videography for whipping jet dynamics.
Main Results:
- Dynamic vortex flow observed in the Taylor cone, with increasing vorticity in the cone-jet transition zone.
- Stretching rates in the straight jet exceed polymer relaxation rates, supporting flow-induced phase separation and 'string' structure formation.
- Transition of spiral jet handedness observed, linked to upstream swirl entry and resembling extrusion instability.
Conclusions:
- Internal swirl in the straight jet acts as a precursor to the spiral jet.
- Nanofiber formation involves self-organization of ordered structures from dissipative structures via external flow fields.
- The process relies on thermal concentration fluctuations along the electrospinning line.
