Is this possible to attach a small piece of non-conductive substrates (glass, SiO2, quartz) on a big grounded collector, so that we can collect electrospun nanofibers directly to the non-conductive substrates? I want to deposit nanofiber onto a glass substrate with pre-patterned electrodes to measure the electrical properties of the electrospun nanofiber film.
I am trying to build the electrospinning system in our lab. I'm trying to electrospin PEDOT:PSS first. I adjust the solution viscosity with PEO. Some initial tests show that it can work. When the polymer jet form, it bridges the needle and the collector and seems to short it. That's why the voltage of the power supply rapidly drops, I think.
Thanks,
Hung.
First part is definitely possible. Fiber will preferably go towards the metal surface, so keep this area small or best completely covered. A complete cover also hinders your possible short circuiting.
for the electrospinning part please see: Electrospun Organic Nanofiber Electronicsand Photonics
DOI: 10.1002/mame.201200364
PEO spinning does not require a very high voltage so it should work, and if possible limit the power/ampere output of your voltage supply to protect you and the equipment.
Thanks Deeraj and Marc.
Hi Marc, I don't quite understand this: "Fiber will preferably go towards the metal surface, so keep this area small or best completely covered. A complete cover also hinders your possible short circuiting."
So should I attach a small non-conductive substrate on the conductive collector? or should I cover the whole conductive collector (grounded) with a non-conductive substrate?
I used to do this with a rotating metal target and some glass slides. The the fibers will also deposit on the glass even if there is only one glass slide . If you have a stationary target you might need to go with a try and error approach. Also consider creative designs for your conductive collector.
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