I'm electrospinning PANI/PVDF fibers for neural tissue engineering. I have tried different ratios of PVDF and PANi but the beading occurs. Does this mean that I need to use another polymer along with this?
It seems that you need to optimize your electrospinning process parameters to get bead free fibers. The viscosity is main parameter to play with. Flow rate and voltage has less effect on fibers formation and morphology after achieving a certain critical condition.
I am not sure about your composition and other parameters, but will suggest you to optimize polymer viscosity. You may prepare a table of low to high viscus solution and do the control electrospinning. It would be more easier if you play with PVDF while keeping the amount of PANI fixed.
Hi dear Samerender, the viscosity is an important parameter, but before, you can try with decrease the flow velocity, for example 0.1 ml/hr.
Dear Samerender N h,
solution parameters, ambient parametes, and processing parameters of electrospinning process can play an important role in controlling the ratio of beads in electrospun webs. Regarding PVDF polymer, this paper discussed deeply the effect of polymer concentration and solvent systems ( single solvent system and binary solvent stystem) on the morphology of electrospun PVDF nanofibers
"Maneuvering surface structures of polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers by controlling solvent systems and polymer concentration", DOI:10.1177/0040517518792748
Prevention of bead formation really depends on the type of polymer being used. In your case, you may need to further optimize your recipe. Parameters such as viscosity and surface tension play a huge role in beads forming in the samples. Try to vary the viscosity and in some cases, you may need to utilize surfactants to reduce the surface tension.
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