Influence of solvents on a near-field electrospun straight fine fibre

Abstract

Near-field electrospinning (NFES) has been pursued in additive manufacturing for the fabrication of artificial extracellular matrix with controlled pattern structures from a continuous straight fine fibre. Due to short flight time, achieving a deposition of a solidified straight fine fibre can potentially be affected by the properties of a solvent. Therefore, this article presents an investigation of the effects of solvents on an NFES straight fine fibre. Dichloromethane (DCM), acetone, chloroform, toluene and dimethylformamide were the five solvents in this investigation. They were tested at the standoff distances of 3, 5 and 10 mm, and by using the needle gauges of 22G, 24G and 26G. According to the results, DCM having a relatively low boiling temperature and moderate dielectric constant delivered the smallest diameter straight uniform fibre. Furthermore, a solvent having a moderate boiling temperature and low dielectric constant is expected to deliver a thinner straight uniform fibre.