Corona-electrospinning: Needleless method for high-throughput continuous nanofiber production

A novel spinneret and modified electrospinning method is introduced wherewith nanofibers can be produced with high-throughput. The main conception of the system is to continuously supply the polymeric solution through a narrow, but long gutter bounded by a metal electrode having sharp edge. As there is no high free liquid surface volatile and low boiling point solvents can be applied that makes the method suitable for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. In this study the operation of the spinneret was tested with polyacrylnitrile/dimethyl-formamide and poly-vinylpirrolidone/ethanol solutions. The charge concentration related from the construction was investigated by finite element analysis. The highest electrical charge density is formed along the sharp edge what results many self-assembled Taylor-cones that is also confirmed by the first operation experiences. The productivity of the technique can be two orders of magnitude higher than that of the single capillary method. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.