On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great materia...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/3/273 |
| _version_ | 1797318412773359616 |
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| author | Alberto Ramon Ievgenii Liashenko Joan Rosell-Llompart Andreu Cabot |
| author_facet | Alberto Ramon Ievgenii Liashenko Joan Rosell-Llompart Andreu Cabot |
| author_sort | Alberto Ramon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great material versatility, the stability of the EHD jetting process using such inks remains a major challenge that must be overcome before this technology can be deployed beyond research laboratories. Herein, we study the parameters that affect the stability of the EHD jet printing of polyethylene oxide (PEO) patterns using solvent-based inks. To gain insights into the evolution of the printing process, we simultaneously monitor the drop size, the jet ejection point, and the jet speed, determined by superimposing a periodic electrostatic deflection. We observe printing instabilities to be associated with changes in drop size and composition and in the jet’s ejection point and speed, which are related to the evaporation of the solvent and the resulting drying of the drop surface. Thus, stabilizing the printing process and, particularly, the drop size and its surface composition require minimizing or controlling the solvent evaporation rate from the drop surface by using appropriate solvents and by controlling the printing ambient. For stable printing and improved jet stability, it is essential to use polymers with a high molecular weight and select solvents that slow down the surface drying of the droplets. Additionally, adjusting the needle voltages is crucial to prevent instabilities in the jet ejection mode. Although this study primarily utilized PEO, the general trends observed are applicable to other polymers that exhibit similar interactions between solvent and polymer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:51:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7311659a39c04c899579e6237c394179 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T03:51:46Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-7311659a39c04c899579e6237c3941792024-02-09T15:19:25ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-01-0114327310.3390/nano14030273On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based InksAlberto Ramon0Ievgenii Liashenko1Joan Rosell-Llompart2Andreu Cabot3Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, SpainCatalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University Rovira i Virgili, Av. dels Països Catalans 26, 43007 Tarragona, SpainCatalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Jardins de les Dones de Negre 1, Sant Adrià de Besòs, 08930 Barcelona, SpainElectrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great material versatility, the stability of the EHD jetting process using such inks remains a major challenge that must be overcome before this technology can be deployed beyond research laboratories. Herein, we study the parameters that affect the stability of the EHD jet printing of polyethylene oxide (PEO) patterns using solvent-based inks. To gain insights into the evolution of the printing process, we simultaneously monitor the drop size, the jet ejection point, and the jet speed, determined by superimposing a periodic electrostatic deflection. We observe printing instabilities to be associated with changes in drop size and composition and in the jet’s ejection point and speed, which are related to the evaporation of the solvent and the resulting drying of the drop surface. Thus, stabilizing the printing process and, particularly, the drop size and its surface composition require minimizing or controlling the solvent evaporation rate from the drop surface by using appropriate solvents and by controlling the printing ambient. For stable printing and improved jet stability, it is essential to use polymers with a high molecular weight and select solvents that slow down the surface drying of the droplets. Additionally, adjusting the needle voltages is crucial to prevent instabilities in the jet ejection mode. Although this study primarily utilized PEO, the general trends observed are applicable to other polymers that exhibit similar interactions between solvent and polymer.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/3/273electrohydrodynamic jet printingnear-field electrospinningfiber3D printing |
| spellingShingle | Alberto Ramon Ievgenii Liashenko Joan Rosell-Llompart Andreu Cabot On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks Nanomaterials electrohydrodynamic jet printing near-field electrospinning fiber 3D printing |
| title | On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks |
| title_full | On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks |
| title_fullStr | On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks |
| title_short | On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks |
| title_sort | on the stability of electrohydrodynamic jet printing using poly ethylene oxide solvent based inks |
| topic | electrohydrodynamic jet printing near-field electrospinning fiber 3D printing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/3/273 |
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