Experimental investigations on the multi-jet electrospinning process

Multi-jet electrospinning systems can be designed to increase both productivity and cover area for large-scale nanofibre production. In this work several multi-jet electrospinning setups were tested. A solution of 7 wt% PEO was electrospun varying the number of nozzles between 2 and 16. Tests showed that the divergence angle between jets can be reduced employing a secondary electrode. The standard configuration consisting of a charged solution and a grounded collector plate was used, as was the opposite case of a charged collector and a grounded solution. These configurations were, respectively, tested with positive and negative polarity. Process operating conditions were varied in order to obtain nanofibres without defects. Samples collected were examined with SEM; it was demonstrated that multi-jet electrospinning works with standard and reverse configurations both applying positive and negative polarity. Good quality nanofibres were obtained in both cases. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.