Model development and validation of electrospun jet formation

Abstract

The Taylor cone formed at the tip of the syringe used for delivering the solution plays an important role in jet formation. This study presents a novel multiphysics model to simulate the dynamic processes occurring within the cone jet from a flat spinneret and a single needle spinneret. The electric field, volume fraction and velocity magnitude of the polymer jet ejecting from two different kinds of spinnerets are calculated by the multiphysics simulation model. A high-speed camera is employed to capture the jet formed by the Taylor cone. The simulation results are validated by comparison with experimental results. It is found that the spinneret configuration could be the key factor in determining cone morphology in the electrospinning process.