Electrospinning is a technique used in materials science and nanotechnology to produce nanofibers. It involves the application of an electric field to a polymer solution or melt, causing the formation of ultrafine fibers through a process of electrostatic stretching and elongation. The resulting nanofibers typically have diameters on the order of hundreds of nanometers down to a few nanometers.
Electrospinning has found applications in various fields, including tissue engineering, filtration, drug delivery, sensors, and protective textiles. The high surface area, small diameter, and interconnected porous structure of electrospun nanofibers make them suitable for a wide range of applications where these properties are beneficial.
Advantages of Electrospinning:
High Surface Area
Electrospun nanofibers have a very high surface-to-volume ratio, making them ideal for applications in filtration, sensors, and drug delivery.
Versatility
The process can be used with a wide range of polymers, including biopolymers, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
Scalability
Electrospinning can be scaled up for industrial production while maintaining control over the fiber diameter and structure.
Porosity
Electrospun nanofibers form highly porous structures, which can be used in various filtration and separation applications.
How Electrospinning works?
Preparation of Solution or Melt:
A polymer or a blend of polymers is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution, or it can be heated to form a melt.
High Voltage Application:
The polymer solution or melt is placed in a syringe or similar container, and a high-voltage electric field is applied between the needle and a grounded collector (often a metal plate or rotating drum).
Formation of a Jet:
When the voltage reaches a certain threshold, it overcomes the surface tension of the polymer solution, causing a jet to form at the needle tip. The polymer solution is drawn toward the collector, stretching as it is pulled by the electric field.
Fiber Formation:
As the jet travels toward the collector, the solvent evaporates (in the case of a solution) or the polymer cools and solidifies (in the case of a melt). This results in the formation of fine fibers, which can range from nanometers to micrometers in diameter.
Collection of Fibers:
The fibers are collected on a surface or a rotating drum. The alignment and orientation of the fibers can be controlled by the collector’s movement, the voltage applied, and other process parameters.
Application Areas
The polymers utilized in electrospinning are primarily classified into the following categories:
Synthetic Polymers
Natural and Biodegradable Polymers
Water-Soluble Polymers
At PlasmaGear;
We have industrial scale electrospinning machine which can produce rolls of 1.6 m in width.
Transition from experimentation to production with our lab and industrial scale electrospinning machines.
We provide comprehensive R&D services, feasibility studies and contract manufacturing.
WHY NANOFIBER ELECTROSPINNING FOR TEXTILE?
