ABSTRACT
Fibers with a diameter of around 100 nm are generally classified as nanofibers. What makes nanofibers of great interest is their extremely small size. Nanofibers compared with conventional fibers, with higher surface area to volume ratios and smaller pore size, offer an opportunity for use in a wide variety of applications. To date, the most successful method of producing nanofibers is through the process of electrospinning. The electrospinning process uses high voltage to create an electric field between a droplet of polymer solution at
the tip of a needle and a collector plate. When the electrostatic force overcomes the surface tension of the drop, a charged, continuous jet of polymer solution is ejected. As the solution moves away from the needle and toward the collector, the solvent evaporates and jet rapidly thins and dries. On the surface of the collector, a nonwoven web of randomly oriented solid nanofibers is deposited [1-5]. Figure 16.1 illustrates the electrospinning setup.
