Fabrication of Polymeric Micro-Platelets via Electro-Centrifuge Spinning

The polymer particles have been used in various fields of chemistry, biology and physics applications and subsequently there is a need for coating of various substrates by these particles to achieve a thin film in many applications. So far, several methods have been proposed for the production of micro-particles; but these methods often suffered from limitations such as low enclosure efficiency or difficulty in separating particles from the aqueous phase. In this study, attempts have been made to produce micro platelet particles and create a thin film by electro-centrifuge spinning for the first time. Electro-centrifuge spinning is the cost-effective method with high production rate. Therefore, the effect of parameters such as concentration, voltage, centrifugal force has been investigated on the shape and size of the micro-platelet particles of poly (ε-caprolactone). In this regard, concentrations of 3 and 5 wt% of poly (ε-caprolactone) in dichloromethane were used. Solutions with different concentrations were subjected to electro-centrifuge spinning system to fabricate micro platelets. In order to investigate the effect of voltage and centrifugal force on the particle diameter, poly (ε-caprolactone) particles were produced at voltages of 15, 18 and 21 kV and rotational speeds of 1740 and 3190 rpm. The results showed that by increasing the concentration of polymer solution, under the constant voltage and rotational speed, the diameter of the micro platelets decreases. Also, by keeping constant the concentration of the solution and the rotational speed, increasing the voltage leads to a decrease in the diameter of the micro platelets. In addition, under the constant the concentration and the voltage, the diameter of the micro platelets increases with increasing rotational speed. Also, by decreasing the solution concentration, satellite droplets increase, which leads to an increase in the uniformity of the diameter of the micro-plates.