An Adaptable Device for Scalable Electrospinning of Low- and High-Viscosity Solutions

McCarty, Ryan J.; Giapis, Konstantinos P.

doi:10.3390/instruments3030037

Open AccessArticle

An Adaptable Device for Scalable Electrospinning of Low- and High-Viscosity Solutions

Ryan J. McCarty^1,2,* and Konstantinos P. Giapis²

Department of Chemistry, University California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA

Department of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Instruments 2019, 3(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments3030037

Received: 27 June 2019 / Revised: 5 August 2019 / Accepted: 5 August 2019 / Published: 7 August 2019

PDF [1465 KB, uploaded 9 August 2019]

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Abstract

This paper summarizes the design and construction of an adaptable electrospinner capable of spinning fluids over a large range of viscosities. The design accommodates needless electrospinning technologies and enables researchers to explore a large range of testing parameters. Modular parts can be exchanged for alternative versions that adapt to the research question at hand. A rotating drum electrode immersed halfway into a solution bath provides the liquid film surface from which electrospinning occurs. We tested and assessed several electrode designs and their electrospinning performance at higher (< 500 poise) viscosities. Relative humidity was found to affect the onset of electrospinning of highly viscous solutions. We demonstrate robust device performance at applied voltage up to 90 kV between the electrospinning electrode and the collector. Design and fabrication aspects are discussed in practical terms, with the intent of making this device reproducible in an academic student machine shop.

Keywords: electrospinning; viscous solution; nanofabrication; nanofibers; instrumentation; high voltage; practical design; Taylor cone

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).