Effect of Different Bicomponent Electrospinning Techniques on the Formation of Polymeric Nanosprings

The effect of different bicomponent electrospinning techniques i.e., off-centered coaxial electrospinning and side-by-side electrospinning, on the formation of tight nanocoils (nanosprings) was studied. Since right balance between the longitudinal compressive forces arising from the shrinking thermoelastic components and the rigidity emerging from the stiff component and conductivity is required for nanospring formation, conductive solutions of flexible and rigid components were used for the electrospinning. Under optimum conditions, nanofiber mats with almost 100% nanospring morphology were generated using off-centered and side-by-side electrospinning techniques. Mechanical properties of aligned nanomats with and without nanosprings, produced at different collecting speeds are provided.