Optimizing the electrospun parameters which affect the preparation of nanofibers

Abstract

By electrospinning technique, nanofiber can be produced due to applied high potential voltage on polymer solution, leading to the formation of a jet from polymer solution that is collected on a collector in a nanofiber shape. In the last decade of the twentieth century with appearance of nanotechnology, work and publications on optimization of electrospinning and its applications increased exponentially. Morphology of produced nanofiber depends on three groups of parameters: 1- process conditions (applied voltage, flow rate and needle-to-collector distance) 2- solution conditions (concentration, molecular weight and degree of hydrolysis) 3- ambient conditions (temperature and humidity). Brief history from observation of change of the spherical shape of liquid droplet by the effect of the electrical force to conical shape, passing by Formhals patents to use portable electrospinning techniques will be mentioned. Because of various advantages of nanofiber such as high pore density and enormous surface area per volume ratio, there are vital applications based on nanofiber, for example water treatment, air filtration, sensors/biosensors, energy storage, tissue engineering, wound dressing and drug delivery system.