Formation of Fibers and Spheres by Electrospinning of Polyethylene Oxide Solution

Abstract

An experimental process for obtaining fibers and spheres using electrospinning of a polymer (Polyethylene Oxide) solution in water were studied. The objectives of the study were to complete measurements of size of the generated fibers and spheres to develop phenomenological analyses to help interpret and correlate the measurements of the instability growth on the electrospun micro liquid (polymeric solution) jets. Digital holographic microscopy was used to observe the trajectory of the electrospun jet and the growth of instability on the electrospun micro polymeric jet. The morphology of the fibers deposited on the collector electrode was observed using SEM imaging. The conditions for formation of beaded fibers were studied. The sphere formation mechanism was observed for different parameters including polymer concentration, applied voltage, and needle to electrode distance.