Formation of Core-Shell Fibers and Particles by Free Surface Electrospinning
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsKeith M. Forward, Gregory C. Rutledge
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Abstract
Disclosed are methods that utilize the differences in physical properties between two coating fluids to form core-shell particles or core-shell fibers by coaxial free-surface electrospinning. The methods are able to achieve higher productivity than known methods, and are tunable. Nonwoven fiber mats of electrospun fibers have garnered much scientific and commercial interest in recent years due to their unique properties, such as their high porosity, high surface area and small diameter fibers.
Claims31
A method of forming a plurality of core-shell particles or a plurality of core-shell fibers, comprising the steps of:
- applying an electric voltage to a cylindrical electrode;
- drawing the cylindrical electrode through a first fluid, thereby forming a coated cylindrical electrode;
- drawing the coated cylindrical electrode through a second fluid, wherein the first fluid is more viscous than the second fluid, thereby forming a bilayer-coated cylindrical electrode;
- and
- positioning the bilayer-coated cylindrical electrode at a distance from a grounded collection surface;
- wherein the plurality of core-shell particles or the plurality of core-shell fibers is deposited on the grounded collection surface.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.