Study of Electrospinning Synthesis Parameters and Validation of a Polarized Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging Device Using Electrospun Polycaprolactone Fibers and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Scaffolds made with electrospun nanofibers are used for many applications in which mechanical properties increase with decreasing the diameter and aligning the fibers. This thesis research investigates the effects of several parameters on the diameter and orientation of fibers fabricated with our custom electrospinning device. Data are collected with SEM and pSFDI with the intent to validate pSFDI as a rapid and non-destructive method of study for microstructures. Experiments showed that a decrease in concentration, increase in tip-collector distance and in flow rate, all reduce the fiber diameter, while an increase in concentration and in flow rate, improve their alignment. The implementation of an auxiliary electrode further improved the alignment of fibers. However, as the results were not optimal and reproducible, many other parameters could be taken into account to obtain highly satisfactory scaffolds. The findings also support the use of pSFDI, but with some limitations.