Multiple-Jet Needleless Electrospinning Approach via a Linear Flume Spinneret

There is a great limitation to improving the quality and productivity of nanofibers through the conventional single-needle method. Using needleless electrospinning technology to generate multiple jets and enhance the productivity of nanofibers has attracted lots of interest for many years. This study develops a novel linear flume spinneret to fabricate nanofibers. Multiple jets with two rows can be formed simultaneously on the surface of the spinneret. The solution concentration has a significant impact on the average nanofiber diameter compared with applied voltage and collection distance. The effects of different spinning process parameters on the productivity of nanofibers are investigated. High-quality nanofibers with small nanofiber diameter and error can be fabricated successfully. The average nanofiber diameter is 108 +/- 26 nm. The average error is 24%. The productivity of nanofibers can reach 4.85 +/- 0.36 g/h, which is about 24 times more than that of the single-needle method. This novel linear flume spinneret needleless electrospinning technology exhibits huge potential for mass production of nanofibers in the field of industrialization.