Fabrication of self-assembled three-dimensional fibrous stackings by electrospinning

In this paper, extraordinary self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) fibrous stackings have been fabricated by electrospinning from poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/nitrate solution and polystyrene solution. The stackings show cone-like shape, self-standing fiber arrays shape, or rockwork-like shape, which are quite different from the conventional electrospun 2D nonwoven mats. Especially, the stackings are able to reach to as high as 17 cm with the bottom diameter of 20 cm. In addition, it is found that the formation of the unique stackings is dependent on humidity, solution concentration/viscosity and volatility, which may strongly influence the solidification and stacking processes of the electrsopun fibers.