(102g) Unique Regimes in Nanofiber Formation From Pendant Precursor Drops Using Gas Jet

A large body of literature covers formation of nanofibers from a pendant drop of polymer solution in electrospinning process. The nanofibers result from electrically charged jet of polymer solution emanating from the pendant drop by the action of electric fields of about 1 kV/cm. In this work, we present a novel approach for obtaining nanofibers of similar diameter as in electrospinning from a pendant drop by the action of compressed air jet. This novel and cost effective method to produce nanofibers is demonstrated experimentally by producing fibers from different polymer solutions. Fibers ranging from a few tens of nanometers to a few micrometers are found. Two different regimes of fiber formation are reported – (1) a surface drainage regime where fibers are formed from a single cone formed in the drop similar to the electrically formed Taylor cone in electrospinning, and (2) a volumetric drainage regime where the drop is continuously deformed to form the liquid jet that is stretched by the gas jet. These fibers find an array of applications including scaffolds, encapsulated materials, and controlled drug delivery systems.