The effect of nozzle-exit-channel shape on resultant fiber diameter in melt-electrospinning. (16th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Esmaeilirad, Ahmad; Ko, Junghyuk; Rukosuyev, Maxym V; Lee, Jason K; Lee, Patrick C; Jun, Martin B G
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 4:Number 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01-16
• Subjects: melt-electrospinning -- poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) -- nozzle shapes -- polymeric microfibers; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/4/1/015302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: In recent decades, electrospinning using a molten poly ( ε -caprolactone) resin has gained attention for creating fibrous tissue scaffolds. The topography and diameter control of such electrospun microfibers is an important issue for their different applications in tissue engineering. Charge density, initial nozzle-exit-channel cross-sectional area, nozzle to collector distance, viscosity, and processing temperature are the most important input parameters that affect the final electrospun fiber diameters. In this paper we will show that the effect of nozzle-exit-channel shape is as important as the other effective parameters in a resultant fiber diameter. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of nozzle-exit-channel shapes on a resultant fiber diameter have not been studied before. Comparing rectangular and circular nozzles with almost the same exit-channel cross-sectional areas in a similar processing condition showed that using a rectangular nozzle resulted in decreasing final fiber diameter up to 50%. Furthermore, the effect of processing temperature on the final fiber topography was investigated.