Matthias M L Arras et al 2012 Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 13 035008 doi:10.1088/1468-6996/13/3/035008
Matthias M L Arras1,2,6, Christian Grasl1,3,6, Helga Bergmeister3,4 and Heinrich Schima1,3,5
Show affiliationsPaper
A conventional electrospinning setup was upgraded by two turnable plate-like auxiliary high-voltage electrodes that allowed aligned fiber deposition in adjustable directions. Fiber morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). The auxiliary electric field constrained the jet bending instability and the fiber deposition became controllable. At target speeds of 0.9 m sā1 90% of the fibers had aligned within 2°, whereas the angular spread was 70° without the use of auxiliary electrodes. It was even possible to orient fibers perpendicular to the rotational direction of the target. The fiber diameter became smaller and its distribution narrower, while according to the FTIR-ATR measurement the molecular orientation of the polymer was unaltered. This study comprehensively documents the feasibility of directed fiber deposition and offers an easy upgrade to existing electrospinning setups.
78.30.Jw Organic compounds, polymers
07.57.Ty Infrared spectrometers, auxiliary equipment, and techniques
68.37.Hk Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (including EBIC)
Soft matter, liquids and polymers
Condensed matter: electrical, magnetic and optical
Instrumentation and measurement
Issue 3 (June 2012)
Received 12 March 2012, accepted for publication 21 May 2012
Published 27 June 2012
Total article downloads: 2892
Matthias M L Arras et al 2012 Sci. Technol. Adv. Mater. 13 035008