Electrospinning uses an electrical charge to form a mat of fine fibres. It shares characteristics of both the commercial electrospray technique and the commercial spinning of fibres. The technique results in the formation of uniform fibres with nanometer-scale diameters.

This review report covers: History and Theory of the technique; Description of the process and apparatus; Materials, Patents and Applications.

Table of Contents

1. Electrospinning Development
1.1 Early Electrospinning (1600-1995)
1.2 Recent History (1995-present)

2. Background Theory
2.1 Polymer Solutions
2.1.1 Intermolecular and Solute/Solvent Interactions in Polymers
2.1.2 Viscoelasticity
2.1.3 Surface Tension
2.1.4 Conductivity
2.2 External Forces
2.2.1 Electrodynamic Force
2.2.2 Surface Charge
2.2.3 Fluid Pressure

3. Electrospinning Processes and Apparatus
3.1 Simple Process Description
3.1.1 Axis Conventions
3.1.2 Basic Physics of Electrospinning
3.2 Process Models
3.2.1 Jet Initiation
3.2.2 Jet Thinning
3.2.3 Fluid Instabilities
3.2.4 Bending Instability
3.2.5 Polymer Chain Alignment
3.3 Process Parameters
3.3.1 Solution Parameters
3.3.2 Processing Variables
3.3.3 Environmental Conditions
3.4 Core Apparatus
3.5 Modifications and Additions to Core Apparatus
3.5.1 Polymer Supply Modifications
3.5.2 Electrostatic Field Modifications
3.5.3 Collector Modifications

4. Applications
4.1 Nanoscale Materials
4.2 High Tensile Strength Fibres
4.3 Surface Area to Volume Ratio
4.4 Medical Applications
4.5 Materials Applications
4.6 Industrial Applications
4.7 Electronics and Energy Applications

5. Materials
References
Abstracts from the Polymer Library Database
Subject Index
Company Index

 About the Authors

Jonathan J. Stanger currently holds a Masters Degree in Physics and is researching in materials science at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.  His work is focused on explaining physical and chemical aspects of the electrospinning process.  He has received a finalist position twice in the New Zealand MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year Awards and Canterbury Royal Society of NZ emerging young scientist competition.  His work has significantly contributed to the success of ElectrospiNZ Ltd in the design and manufacture of electrospinning machines.

Having originally trained in polymer technology at the Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Bradford, Dr Nick Tucker's research continues to be interdisciplinary, working across polymer technology and science, agriculture, industrial design and manufacturing. At present, his major focus is the development of methods of nanofibre manufacture from crop origin materials: these materials are being used to make high specific filtration elements. This research has potential application in the manufacture of sustainable composites, menotic materials, and other applications for which ultra high specific surface areas are useful.  Dr. Tucker is a chartered engineer and a fellow of the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining.

Dr. Mark P. Staiger received his Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University, Australia and is currently a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury (UC), New Zealand, teaching in the areas of polymer and composite science. Dr. Staiger is the team leader of the electrospinning group at UC with interests in novel materials for biomedical devices, catalysis applications and nano- and bio-composites. Dr. Staiger is involved in collaborative work with The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research that has led to a new electrospinning apparatus manufacturing company (ElectrospiNZ Ltd).

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