Large-scale aligned fiber mats prepared by salt-induced pulse electrospinning

In this article, a new large-scale aligned fiber mats formation method called salt-induced pulse electrospinning was developed. By electrospinning salted solution in a humid environment, traditional continuous electrospinning changed into pulse electrospinning and aligned fibers were thus formed. The possible mechanisms for the occurrence of salt-induced pulse electrospinning and the formation of fiber alignment were studied. The continuous electrospinning changing into the pulse electrospinning was due to the change of viscosity and conductivity of salted polymer solution in a wet electrospinning condition. Fishing net-shaped whipping region of the electrospinning jet during pulse electrospinning process was considered as the key factor for the formation of fiber alignment. The mechanical properties of the aligned fiber mat increased significantly compared with that of the random fiber mat. This aligned fiber preparation method only requires a very low rotating drum speed as the receiver and can produce large-scale aligned fiber mats for many applications. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012