Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) can be challenging to electrospin due to its unique properties. Electrospinning involves the use of an electric field to draw a polymer solution or melt into ultrafine fibers. However, PVDF presents some difficulties in this process:
High Solution Viscosity: PVDF solutions often have higher viscosities compared to other polymers used in electrospinning. This high viscosity can hinder the flow of the solution through the spinneret, making it harder to form thin fibers.
Solubility Issues: PVDF has limited solubility in common solvents, which can make it challenging to prepare a suitable solution for electrospinning. Finding the right solvent and adjusting the solution parameters (like concentration and temperature) to achieve a workable solution can be difficult.
Crystallinity: PVDF is a semi-crystalline polymer, and during the electrospinning process, it tends to form highly aligned and crystalline structures, affecting the fiber morphology and alignment.
Process Optimization: Electrospinning parameters such as voltage, flow rate, distance between the needle and collector, and environmental conditions need precise optimization for PVDF due to its unique properties. Finding the right combination of these parameters to produce uniform, fine fibers can be challenging.
PVDF is a very good polymer to to electrospinning. I don't know what conditions you have adopted. Generally DMF/Acetone solvent mixture is proper choice. Needle freezing most probably possible when your solution feed rate is excess. If the solution feed is high the excess solvent accumulated at the needle tip. For the prolonged time the excess droplets starts gets solidify and which interpret the spinning. For your reference please refer my publication.
It is relatively easy to electrospin PVDF. I think so you need to optimize the processing parameters like solution concentration, feed rate, applied electric field and the distance between the collector and spinneret. Also, at times the gauge size of the needle effects the processing. If your solution is drying at the tip of the needle then maybe work on the solution viscosity and the feed rate. The viscosity should not be much higher as then the solvent will evaporate faster and will stick at the needle tip. Same with the higher feed rate.
There are also many literatures available for electrospinning PVDF. Take reference from them.