Can anyone tell about the taylor cone of the polymer jet? Is it necessary to be at 90 degree from needle tip to the collector or Is it OK to be spotted not on the 90 degree exactly but only concern should be the taylor cone. Another thing, Is Perfect taylor cone at 90 degree from needle tip to the collector necessary for well organised fibres OR angle is not a big issue and only thing in that case,Should I say, is the taylor cone generation from the polymer jet and generation of the fibres because fibres generate in any case if its perpendicular from tip to collector or not? Kindly explain.
Hi Haroon, I'm not sure if you refer to a horizontal or vertical set up but with all of my set ups the needle tip is set in the direction of the collector. As such the taylor cone and jet extrude in the direction of the collector. Is this what you refer to as 90 degrees? If so it is quite common for gravity to play a part in the shape of the taylor cone. In my experience, a vertical set up is easier to model due to the force of gravity acting with the polymer solution so the taylor cone is able to form with a jet at the centre of the tip. In a horizontal set-up it is not uncommon for the taylor cone to deform due to the force of gravity. This results in the jet extruding at an angle to allow it to move directly towards the target.
Apologies if this does not answer your question.
I want add some view in the explanation as given by Chris Mortimer, formation of taylor cone is independent to angle. As we know that when surface tension of polymer droplet is overcome by electric potential then drop slightly protruded toward negative terminal in the form of cone it is called as Taylor cone on further increase in voltage there is ejection of jet from apex of Taylor cone taking place. Formation of Taylor cone is depend upon nature of polymers and solvent. As we observe in our laboratory that in the case of polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution there is a prominent cone and jet formed but in the case of gelation which is highly hydrophilic protein prominent cone not formed but in both case nanofibers with a good morphology obtained. In case of chitosan acidic aqueous solution there is no any cone or jet formed. Temperature and humadity control is very important in Electrospinning because it affect stretching and drying of jet during flight and before reaching to collector.
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