Electrospinning and Properties of Some Nanofibers

Abstract

Electrospinning is a unique process that is capable of producing fibers with diameters ranging over several orders of magnitude, from the micrometer range typical of conventional fibers down to the nanometer range. Electrospun fibers possess unusually large surface-to-volume ratios and are expected to display morphologies and material properties different from their conventional counterparts. In this paper, details of recent designs and construction of equipment for controllable and reproducible electrospinning or electrostatic spinning are presented. An understanding of the electrospinning process is linked to processing conditions and polymer fluid characteristics, as well as the structure and properties of the final electrospun nanofibers.