ELECTROSPINNING METHOD

ELECTROSPINNING METHOD

Electrospinning is a unique approach using electrostatic forces to produce fine fibers. Electrostatic precipitators and pesticide sprayers are many of the well known applications that work exactly like the electrospinning technique. Electrospun fibers have small pore size and high expanse. There is also evidence of sizable static charges in the electrospun fibers that is effectively handled to produce three-dimensional houses. The apparatus used for electrospinning is straightforward in construction which includes a high voltage electric source having positive or negative polarity, a syringe pump with capillaries or tubes to cart the solution from the syringe or pipette towards the spinnerette and a conducting enthusiast. The collector can be made of any shape in line with the requirements like flat plate, spinning drum, etc. The schematic with the electrospinning process is shown with figure. Many researchers have used the apparatus exactly like the one shown in figure 1 with modifications depending on process conditions to spin numerous fine fibers.

Polymer solution or the melt that should be spun is forced through a syringe pump in order to create a pendant drop of polymer with the tip of the capillary as well as syringe needle. High voltage is placed on the polymer solution inside the syringe by using a connected electrode thereby inducing free charges in to the polymer solution. These charged ions transfer response to the applied electric field towards electrode of opposite polarity thereby transferring tensile forces towards the polymer liquid. At the tip with the capillary, the pendant hemispherical polymer drop swallows a cone like projection in the presence of electric field. And, when the applied potential reaches a critical value that is required to overcome the surface tension with the liquid, a jet of liquid is ejected on the cone tip.

Future Prospect:

Future developments of nanotechnologies in textiles can have a two¬fold focus:
1) replacing existing functions ind performances of textile materials;
2) developing smart and intelligent textiles with unheard of functions.
The latter is more urgent on the standpoint of homeland security and also advancement of technology. The new functions with textiles for being developed include
1) wearable photovoltaic cell and energy storage;
2) sensors and information acquisition and move;
3) multiple and sophisticated security and detection
4) health-care and also wound healing functions;
5) self-cleaning and also repairing functions.
Undoubtedly, Nanotechnology holds an enormously promising future regarding textiles. It s estimated that nanotechnology provides about hundreds of billions dollars of market have an effect on new materials within a decade; textile certainly has an important share in his material market place. We expect to see a fresh horizon of textile materials underneath this irresistible technology wave.