Electrospinning of fine hollow fibers
First Claim
1. A method for electrospinning a nanofiber comprising:
- providing a spinneret having a needle defining a bore, the needle fluidly connected to a first liquid comprising a spinnable polymeric solution, and a capillary having a proximal end connected to a second liquid and a distal end disposed in the needle bore such that an annular aperture is defined between the needle and the capillary;
providing a conducting collector disposed a distance from the needle;
applying a voltage between the needle and the conducting collector; and
feeding the polymeric solution through the needle and feeding the second liquid through the capillary;
wherein the applied voltage is sufficiently high to induce a jet made of the polymeric solution and the second liquid to travel from the spinneret to the collector to form a composite nanofiber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for electrospinning nanofibers having a core-sheath, tubular, or composite structure is disclosed. The process uses a spinneret having first and second capillaries that channel first and second fluids in the spinneret, the second capillary surrounding the first. A high voltage is applied between the spinneret and a spaced conductive collector. In one embodiment, the first fluid is a mineral oil and the second fluid is a polymeric solution that may include a polymer, a catalyst, a solvent, and a sol-gel precursor. The as-spun nanofiber includes an oil core and a composite sheath. The oil may be removed to produce a composite tubular fiber or the polymer and oil may be removed by calcination to produce a ceramic tubular fiber. In other embodiments, miscible fluids are used to produce porous nanofibers, selected additives functionalize the surfaces of the nanofibers and/or conjugated polymers are used.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for electrospinning a nanofiber comprising:
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providing a spinneret having a needle defining a bore, the needle fluidly connected to a first liquid comprising a spinnable polymeric solution, and a capillary having a proximal end connected to a second liquid and a distal end disposed in the needle bore such that an annular aperture is defined between the needle and the capillary; providing a conducting collector disposed a distance from the needle; applying a voltage between the needle and the conducting collector; and feeding the polymeric solution through the needle and feeding the second liquid through the capillary; wherein the applied voltage is sufficiently high to induce a jet made of the polymeric solution and the second liquid to travel from the spinneret to the collector to form a composite nanofiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification