Influence and evaluation of array-nozzle geometry on near- field electrospinning direct writing:

Near-field electrospinning direct writing of array-nozzle is an efficient method for preparing large-area aligned fibers. However, electric field between the array-nozzle interferes with the stability and uniformity of near-field electrospinning, and little research has been done in this field. To clarify the electric field interference generated by array-nozzle, the experimental results compared with the simulation are discussed. In this work, electric field interference between the five-nozzle linear arrangement near-field electrospinning process was demonstrated by the initial ejection behavior, the electric field distribution of near-field electrospinning environment and the deposition spacing of fibers. In addition, we developed a simple and flexible method serving as a quantitative evaluation index for evaluating the degree of electric field interference. Then, the mapping effects of electric field interference of nozzle structure on the surface morphology and uniformity of aligned fibers were studied, including the number of nozzle, nozzle spacing and nozzle length with linear and toothed arrangement. According to the result of experiment and characterization, suitable arrayed nozzle parameters for stably direct-write aligned array pattern with near-field electrospinning were available, whose geometric parameters are linear two-nozzle with a nozzle spacing of 2 mm and a nozzle length of 6.35 mm. Finally, on the basis of our previous research, a microfluidic channel was successfully prepared on polydimethylsiloxane by two-nozzle cooperation, which verified the rationality of the geometry.