Research Description:

Processing Oriented Linear Carbon Nanofibers Using Modified Electrospinning

Currently, electrospinning is a cost-effective and simple technique used in processing nanofibers and nanotubes for application in bio-filtration, bandages, probing tips, electroactive foam, and lightweight materials for wings. This processing technique is very appealing because the materials produced are on the nanometer scale in size and they are also electroactive at a nominal cost to the producer however, the current limitation with this technique is that oriented nanofibers and controlled growth of thin films is currently impossible. Presently, electrospinning works by applying a potential to a syringe needle which has a polymeric fluid inside and grounding a target surface. The fluid inside the syringe is then pumped at a constant velocity through the needle and the electric field stretches the fluid into extremely small fibers which are then collected on the target surface. This project proposes a modified method which involves using a micron-sized silicon tip used for polymeric extraction, the thin edge of a rotating disk at a lower voltage than the tip to collect the nanofibers, and a second rotating collection disk which is grounded to collect the oriented nanofibers from the first rotating disk. By control over the orientation of the nanofibers one is able to extend the application of electrospinning directly into the domains of nanometer circuitry and nanometer electric bio-pumps. Other unnamed applications are also possible where highly oriented nanofibers or nanotubes are required. In order to achieve this level of orientation certain variables have been selected to be modified during the course of this project which include, but are not limited to, surface area on rotating disks, distance between rotating disks, applied voltages, viscosity of polymeric fluid, and speed of rotation of the disks.