Investigations into the mechanisms of electrohydrodynamic instability in free surface electrospinning

Free surface electrospinning is a continuous electrospinning method for low-cost, massive production of nanofibers. The interjet distance lambda is a critical parameter in free surface electrospinning, which directly determines the nanofiber production efficiency. In this investigation, we studied the interjet distance during free surface electrospinning based on electrohydrodynamic instability theoretically and experimentally, with special interest focused on the effect of surface tension and electric field intensity on the interjet distance. The experimental results indicated that the critical parameters affecting the interjet distance were the surface tension and applied voltage, which was in good compliance with the theoretical prediction. The relationship between interjet distance lambda and surface tension followed an allometric law with positive exponential function, and the relationship between interjet distance lambda and applied voltage followed an allometric law with negative exponential function. The present results can be used to understand the basic parameters which determine the interjet distance in free surface electrospinning.