Electrospun ordered nanofibers on Si and SiO2 substrate

The article focus on the feasibility of the Near-Field ElectroSpinning (NFES) for possible low voltage drive, tracking control and clog prevention, which possibly can be integrated with micro/nano fabrication to make micro/nano devices. Experiments are designed to investigate the effects of parameters on the electrospinning process, including concentration of the solvent/polymer solution, the voltage and gap between electrodes. The results of NFES show that solid nanofibers with diameter of 50nm similar to 500nm can be electrospun onto silicon and silicon dioxide substrate with a 500 mu m gap, in which a tungsten probe tip with diameter of 20 mu m was used as the spinneret under bias of 800 Volts. Nanofiber with spring-like structure collected on the fixed silicon substrate is different completely from that on silicon dioxide, which with spirality lying on the plane. Straight line with helical structures paralleled to the track of the probe tip and waved nanofiber were drawn out on silicon and silicon dioxide substrate respectively. The straight nanofiber without helical structures and wave could be drawn on the substrate if its moving speed is compatible with the electrospinning speed.