Multiple jets in electrospinning: experiment and modeling

The electric forces are the main factor responsible for the characteristic jet path and stretching in electrospinning. The present work describes the results of the experimental investigation and modeling of multiple jets during the electrospinning of polymer solutions. Realistic configurations of the external electric field between the electrodes were employed, as well as the linear and non-linear, Upper-Convected Maxwell, models were used to describe the viscoelastic behavior of the polymer jets. The results demonstrate how the external electric fields and mutual electric interaction of multiple charged jets influence their path and evolution during electrospinning. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.