WO2023120882A1 - Electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrospinning apparatus for the mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention stably mass produces aligned nonwoven fabrics that are improved compared to existing non-aligned nanofibers such as nonwoven fabrics.

Description

Electrospinning Apparatus for Mass Production of Aligned Nanofibers

The present invention relates to a nanofiber electrospinning device, and relates to a device for producing nanofibers that can be used in various industries by electrospinning nanofibers through a nozzle when a high voltage is applied to a polymer solution and collecting the spun nanofibers. will be.

Specifically, it is an apparatus for mass-producing nanofibers in an aligned or oriented form in the direction of movement of the nanofibers.

Ordinary fibers are produced by applying heat and pressure to fibers to make long threads and passing them through nozzles of 0.1 mm to several mm.

On the other hand, the production of nanofibers uses an electric field instead of high pressure, which can be referred to as an electrospinning method. When a high-voltage electric field is applied to a polymer, which is a raw material, electrical repulsion occurs inside the polymer, causing it to be split into nano-sized particles.

This electrospinning method has been recognized as a practical technology capable of implementing nanostructured materials efficiently and at low cost.

As shown in FIG. 1, a general electrospinning apparatus includes a syringe pump capable of pushing out a precursor having a liquid phase viscosity, a DC high voltage generator, a needle for pulling out nanofibers, and It may consist of a grounded lower substrate.

The pressure of the syringe pump distributes the polymer solution to the end of the capillary tube, such as a vertically or horizontally positioned needle, and the polymer solution forms a hemispherical droplet suspended in equilibrium between gravity, surface tension, and syringe pump pressure.

When an electric field is applied, a charge or dipole orientation is induced on the surface of the hemispherical droplet at the interface between the air layer and the solution, and a force opposite to the surface tension is generated by charge or dipole repulsion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hemispherical surface is elongated into a conical shape known as Taylor Cone, and as the electrostatic force overcomes the surface tension at a certain critical electric field strength, a jet of the charged polymer solution is formed at the tip of the Taylor cone. is emitted from

When such a jet is a solution having a predetermined viscosity, the solvent is evaporated as the jet flies toward the substrate without collapsing and the solvent is evaporated, and the charged polymer continuous phase fibers are accumulated on the current collector plate.

That is, nanofibers, unlike general fibers, form a fabric by intertwining multiple strands of nanofibers without a separate fabric treatment process.

In this electrospinning method, the fiber shape of the nanofiber can be varied, and the main process variables are the solution characteristics (concentration, viscosity, surface tension), the distance from the end of the capillary to the current collector, the strength of the electric field, the radiation time, the radiation environment, etc. There may be, and by adjusting these process parameters to produce various types of nanofibers, it can be applied to various industrial fields.

However, in the case of a conventional nanofiber electrospinning device, nanofibers in the form of non-woven fabric are collected and produced in a manner in which charged polymer continuous phase fibers are stacked on a current collector plate, and these types of nanofibers also have a wide variety of applications, but strength There is a limit to improving the physical properties of the back.

That is, there has been a demand for improvement from non-woven nanofibers to aligned nanofibers such as ordinary fibers, and furthermore, the industrial use value of nanofibers is further enhanced through mass production of these aligned nanofibers. Research is ongoing.

In addition, the conventional electrospinning apparatus is provided so that the direction of the needle or nozzle is directed in the direction of gravity (hereinafter referred to as "downward spinning method") to form a Taylor cone using the balance of forces such as viscosity, surface tension, and gravity taking a method

In the case of the downward spinning method, since the nanofibers move downward by gravity and are collected in the current collector plate, there is an advantage in that no external force is required.

However, one of the important issues in nanofiber electrospinning is the volatilization or removal of the remaining solvent, and in the case of the downward spinning method, it is difficult to secure sufficient time for the remaining solvent to volatilize while the nanofiber moves downward.

That is, droplets formed by accumulation of solvent may also be dropped due to gravity, and if these droplets are dropped and collide with the nanofiber laminate, serious damage may be caused to the nanofibers.

The problem to be solved in the present invention is to solve the problems derived as described above, to provide a device for stably mass-producing aligned nanofibers by improving non-aligned nanofibers such as existing nonwoven fabrics will be.

The electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention includes a polymer solution dispensing means provided with an internal space for accommodating a polymer solution, one or more polymer solution distributing means, and one end of which is provided in the internal space. In communication with, the nozzle part through which the nanofibers are spun through the other end, installed to form a predetermined separation distance in the radial direction in which the nanofibers are spun from the nozzle part and electrically grounded so that the nanofibers spun from the nozzle part A nanofiber guiding unit for approaching, a high voltage providing unit for generating a potential difference so that the polymer solution accommodated in the polymer solution distributing unit is formed into spinnable nanofibers, a nanofiber transfer unit for transporting the nanofibers approaching the nanofiber guiding unit, and It includes a nanofiber collecting means for collecting the spun nanofibers,

The radiation direction of the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit is provided to include the opposite direction of gravity, so that when power is applied to the high voltage providing unit, the nanofibers are spun from the nozzle unit, and the nanofibers are spun from the nanofiber guide unit. It is characterized in that it is transported upward toward.

In addition, a polymer solution distribution pipe, which is a passage through which the polymer solution is supplied to the nozzle part by connecting the area where the nozzle part is provided, is provided in the inner space of the polymer solution distribution means.

In addition, the nanofiber guide part is formed in a tubular shape, the diameter of which decreases as the nanofiber is transported, so that the nanofibers emitted from one or more of the nozzles pass through the nanofiber guide part, and the center of the tube of the nanofiber guide part It is characterized in that it is formed as a bundle of nanofibers directed toward.

In addition, the nozzle unit includes a nozzle tube having one end in communication with the inner space of the polymer solution distributing means, and a Taylor cone forming means provided in a bowl shape at the other end of the nozzle tube so that the polymer solution is formed into a Taylor cone,

The Taylor cone forming unit is formed so that a large cross-sectional area of the bowl is directed in the direction in which nanofibers are spun, and when the polymer solution contained in the bowl of the Taylor cone forming unit is spun into nanofibers, the Taylor cone forming unit It is characterized in that the amount of the polymer solution contained in is maintained at a predetermined amount.

In addition, the nozzle pipe is formed to have a predetermined cross-sectional area, and one end of the first nozzle pipe communicates with the inner space of the polymer solution dispensing means, one end is connected to the other end of the first nozzle pipe, and the other end is It is characterized in that it is divided into a second nozzle tube that communicates with the Taylor cone forming means and is formed to have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first nozzle tube.

In addition, the nanofiber electrospinning apparatus may further include a high-speed delivery unit provided on one side of the nanofiber induction unit or the nanofiber transfer unit and sending a high-pressure fluid toward the transfer direction of the nanofibers.

The electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention has an effect of mass-producing aligned nanofibers by improving existing nonwoven nanofibers.

In addition, the radial direction of the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit is provided to include the opposite direction of gravity, so that the nanofibers are transported upward toward the nanofiber guide unit, so that sufficient time for volatilization or removal of the remaining solvent can be secured, , it is possible to prevent droplet dropping phenomenon in the form of droplets.

In addition, the nanofibers are elongated while being transported upward to improve the physical properties of the nanofibers, and are collected while being aligned in one direction, thereby increasing the utilization value of the nanofibers.

Meanwhile, a plurality of strands of nanofibers emitted from a plurality of nozzles are not only aligned, but high-speed movement is induced by negative pressure through high-pressure transmission, so that mass production of nanofibers can be promoted.

Furthermore, there is an effect of allowing the solvent remaining in the nanofibers to be volatilized or removed by high-pressure sending.

1 is a basic schematic diagram of an electrospinning apparatus for producing nanofibers.

2 shows a Taylor cone at a critical electric field strength and a jet emitted from the Taylor cone.

3 is a conceptual diagram of an electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a polymer solution distribution pipe provided in the inner space of the polymer solution distribution means in the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

5 is a side view of an embodiment of a nanofiber guide unit in an electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

6 shows an embodiment of a nozzle unit in an electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

7 shows an embodiment of a high-speed transmission unit in the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

8 shows an embodiment of a delivery port provided in a high-speed delivery unit in the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

9 shows an embodiment of a nanofiber transfer unit in an electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

10 shows an embodiment of an air curtain generating means in the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, an electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention includes a polymer solution supply unit 100, a polymer solution distribution unit 200, a nozzle unit 300, a nanofiber guide unit ( 400), a high voltage supply unit 500, a nanofiber transfer unit 600, a high-speed transmission unit 700, a temperature/pressure control unit 800, and a nanofiber collection unit 900.

First, the polymer solution supply unit 100 may function to store a polymer solution or the like and supply the stored polymer solution to the polymer solution distribution unit 200 .

As an example of the polymer solution supply means 100, the polymer solution supply means 100 can be divided into a polymer solution tank 120 and a syringe pump 110, and the polymer solution tank 120 The stored polymer solution may be supplied to the polymer solution dispensing means 200 with the pump pressure of the silage pump.

Next, the polymer solution dispensing unit 200 receives the polymer solution from the polymer solution supply unit 100 and distributes the polymer solution to a plurality of nozzle units 300 provided in the polymer solution supply unit 100. function can be

The nozzle part 300 receives the polymer solution from the polymer solution dispensing means 200, and the distributed polymer solution may be pushed up to one end of the nozzle part 300 by the pressure of the syringe pump 110. The polymer solution is formed into a Taylor cone at one end of the nozzle unit 300, and is spun in the form of nanofibers by electrical force from the Taylor cone.

3 and 4 as an example of the polymer solution distributing means 200, the polymer solution distributing means 200 includes an electrode plate 210 having an inner space 220, the inner space 220 It may include a polymer solution distribution pipe 230 provided in).

The electrode plate 210 is a plate-shaped body in which one side communicates with the polymer solution supply means 100, and in a preferred embodiment, it may be a cylindrical shape in which an internal space 220 is formed. However, the shape of the electrode plate 210 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be provided with electrode plates 210 of various shapes.

The nozzle unit 300 may be directly connected to the inner space 220 formed in the electrode plate 210, and may receive a polymer solution accommodated in the inner space 220 to emit nanofibers.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the polymer solution supply means 100, showing the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 provided in the inner space 220.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 may be provided to connect only an area where the nozzle unit 300 is provided. That is, the location where the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 is provided may be changed according to the area where the nozzle unit 300 is provided.

Through this, a function of helping to supply the polymer solution to the plurality of nozzle parts 300 at the same pressure can be performed.

As an example of the polymer solution distribution pipe 230, the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 may be divided into an edge distribution pipe 231 and a cross distribution pipe 232. The edge distribution pipe 231 is provided along the circumference of the electrode plate 210, and one or more cross distribution pipes 232 cross the edge distribution pipe 231, and may be provided.

As an embodiment of the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 as described above, the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 may be provided only in an area where the nozzle unit 300 is provided.

Therefore, the nozzle part 300 provided in a symmetrical arrangement on the edge distribution pipe 231, the nozzle part 300 provided in a symmetrical arrangement on the cross distribution pipe 232, and the plurality of cross distribution pipes 232 The nozzle units 300 provided at intersections are provided at set arrangement positions so that a plurality of strands of nanofibers can be respectively spun from each nozzle unit 300 .

That is, the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 and the nozzle so that the plurality of nanofibers are radiated from the set arrangement position of each nozzle unit 300 so that the plurality of nanofibers are formed into one uniform nanofiber bundle. The unit 300 may be provided.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 as an example of the nozzle unit 300, the nozzle unit 300 includes a nozzle body 310, a nozzle tube 330, a Taylor cone forming unit 320, and a nozzle tube. 330 and a nozzle fastening means 340 may be included.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the nozzle unit 300 is integrally provided in the nozzle body 310 . The nozzle body 310 may be provided as a cylinder with both sides open.

The nozzle pipe 330 is provided inside the nozzle body 310, and one end communicates with the inner space 220 of the polymer solution distribution unit 200 or the polymer solution distribution pipe 230.

As an example of the nozzle pipe 330, it may be divided into a first nozzle pipe 331 and a second nozzle pipe 332. The first nozzle pipe 331 is formed to have a predetermined cross-sectional area, and one end communicates with the inner space 220 of the polymer solution distribution means 200 or the polymer solution distribution pipe 230 .

The second nozzle pipe 332 has one end connected to the other end of the first nozzle pipe 331 and the other end communicates with the Taylor cone forming means 320, and the cross-sectional area of the first nozzle pipe 331 It is formed to have a smaller cross-sectional area.

As described above, the nozzle pipe 330 may be divided into a plurality of nozzle pipes 330 having a small cross-sectional area, and the polymer solution flows from the first nozzle pipe 331 to the second nozzle pipe 332. Shearing force is formed while passing through, so that the radioactivity is maximized.

In the case of a polymer melt (non-Newtonian fluid), the polymer chain is arranged in the shear direction at a high shear rate, so it shows a strong shear thinning phenomenon. Therefore, since the viscosity of the polymer melt decreases as the shear rate increases, spinnability can be maximized by dividing the nozzle tube 330 into a plurality of nozzle tubes 330 having smaller cross-sectional areas, as described above.

The Taylor cone forming unit 320 is provided at the end of the nozzle body 310 and is provided in a bowl shape at the end of the nozzle pipe 330 so that the polymer solution is formed in the Taylor cone at the Taylor cone forming unit 320. can be formed

As an example of the Taylor cone forming unit 320, the Taylor cone forming unit 320 may be formed such that a bowl-shaped portion with a large cross-sectional area faces a direction in which nanofibers are spun.

When the polymer solution accommodated in the bowl of the Taylor cone forming unit 320 is spun into nanofibers, the amount of the polymer solution accommodated in the Taylor cone forming unit 320 is maintained at a predetermined amount.

That is, when nanofibers are generated, the amount of polymer solution tends to decrease rapidly, which can be an obstacle to continuous production of nanofibers. It is formed in a "bowl shape" to prevent the amount of polymer solution from rapidly decreasing when nanofibers are generated, and has an effect of continuously maintaining the jet generated from the taylor cone.

As another embodiment of the nozzle unit 300, a rotating hinge member capable of adjusting a nozzle angle by having a rotating hinge provided at one end of the nozzle unit 300 may be provided.

The nozzle fastening unit 340 may be provided at a lower end of the nozzle unit 300 so that the nozzle unit 300 and the polymer solution distributing unit 200 are fastened.

On the other hand, the nozzle unit 300 according to the present invention includes a syringe pump 110 (syringe pump), a DC high voltage generator 510 (power supply), and a needle for extracting nanofibers as shown in FIG. ) and other electrospinning devices including a grounded lower substrate.

Next, the nanofiber guide part 400 functions as a grounded lower substrate. When nanofibers are spun from the nozzle part 300, the nanofibers are spun toward the nanofiber guide part 400 by electric force. approach

In addition, a high voltage supply unit 500 is provided to generate a potential difference so that the polymer solution accommodated in the polymer solution distribution unit 200 is formed into spinnable nanofibers.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the nanofiber guide part 400 is installed to form a predetermined separation distance in a radial direction in which nanofibers are emitted from the nozzle part 300 .

Here, since the radiation direction of the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle part 300 is provided to include the opposite direction of gravity, the nanofiber guide part 400 forms a predetermined distance upward from the nozzle part 300, can be installed

That is, the nanofibers spun from the nozzle part 300 are approached by electric force towards the nanofiber guide part 400 installed to form a predetermined separation distance.

Also, as an example of the high voltage providing unit 500 , the voltage providing unit may include a high voltage generator 510 and an electric field adjusting unit 520 .

An example of the electric field control means 520 may include a height adjusting member for adjusting the separation distance between the nanofiber guide part 400 and the nozzle part 300 .

The height adjusting member is divided into a first height adjusting member and a second height adjusting member, the height is primarily adjusted through the first height adjusting member, and the height is secondarily finely adjusted through the second height member. intensity can be adjusted.

In addition, when the separation distance between the nanofiber guide part 400 and the nozzle part 300 increases, after nanofibers are spun from the nozzle part 300, nanofibers move from the nozzle part 300 to the nanofiber guide part. Since the time to approach 400 increases, it is possible to secure the time for volatilization or removal of the solvent remaining in the nanofibers.

As an embodiment of the nanofiber induction unit 400, the nanofiber induction unit 400 may be formed in a tubular shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and the diameter of the tube increases in the direction in which the nanofibers are transported. It can be formed to be small.

In an embodiment of the nanofiber induction unit 400, the diameter of the tubular shape is reduced, so that when fluid passes through the tube, the flow of the fluid may be formed toward the center of the tube along the tubular shape.

Therefore, when the nanofibers emitted from one or more of the nozzle parts 300 pass through the nanofiber guide part 400, the nanofibers are guided toward the center of the tube of the nanofiber guide part 400, and the plurality of nanofiber strands It can be formed as a bundle of nanofibers in an aligned form.

In addition, since the nanofibers simultaneously spun from the plurality of nozzle units 300 are guided to be centrally aligned along the tubular shape of the nanofiber guide unit 400, mass production of aligned nanofibers can be promoted. .

In one embodiment of the nanofiber induction part 400, the nanofiber induction part 400 may be divided into an induction part inlet 410, an induction part outlet 420, an induction part inclined surface 430, and an induction part fastening means 440. .

The area of the induction part inlet 410 is larger than the area of the induction part outlet 420, and the induction part inlet 410 and the induction part outlet 420 are connected by the inclined surface 430 of the induction part to form a funnel. It is possible to configure the nanofiber induction unit 400 of.

Here, the size of the area of the inlet 410 of the induction unit is such that all the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit 300 are formed in the nanofiber induction unit 400 by the electric force formed in the nanofiber induction unit 400 or the nanofibers. It is preferable to be formed in a size that can be transferred to the inside of the induction part 400.

As an example of the size of the area of the inlet of the induction part 410, the cross-sectional area formed by the extension line connecting the ends of the plurality of nozzle parts 300 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the induction part 410. .

In the nanofiber electrospinning apparatus according to the present invention, when power is applied to the high voltage supply unit 500, nanofibers are spun from the nozzle unit 300, and the nanofibers are spun through the nanofiber guide unit 400. It has a characteristic of being transported upward.

Through the configuration as described above, the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention has an effect of mass-producing aligned nanofibers by improving existing nonwoven nanofibers.

In addition, the radiation direction of the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit 300 is provided to include the opposite direction of gravity so that the nanofibers are transported upward toward the nanofiber guide unit 400, so that the residual solvent can be volatilized or removed for sufficient time. This can be ensured, and the phenomenon of dropping droplets in the form of droplets can be prevented.

In addition, the nanofibers can be elongated while being transported upward to improve the physical properties of the nanofibers, and the nanofibers can be collected while being aligned in one direction to increase the utilization value of the mass-produced nanofibers.

Next, as the nanofiber transfer unit 600 approaches the nanofiber guide unit 400 or passes through the nanofiber guide unit 400, the aligned nanofiber bundles are additionally transported, and the nanofiber bundles are twisted with each other. It may function to form a nanofiber yarn to be created.

As an example of the nanofiber transfer unit 600, referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, the nanofiber transfer unit 600 includes a transport pipe 610, a spiral fluid flow generating member 620, and a transport pipe scale control unit ( 630) may be included.

The transfer pipe 610 is a tube through which aligned nanofiber bundles approaching the nanofiber guide unit 400 or passing through the nanofiber guide unit 400 are additionally transported.

The transport pipe 610 is provided with a spiral fluid flow generating member 620 formed along the transport direction of the nanofiber bundle to form a spiral flow of the fluid passing through the transport pipe 610 .

As an embodiment of the spiral fluid flow generating member 620, the spiral fluid flow generating member 620 includes a screw thread 621 and a screw bone ( 622) can be distinguished. That is, a helical fluid flow is generated along the screw thread 621 and the screw bone 622, and nanofiber bundles are twisted along the fluid flow to generate nanofiber yarns.

Conventionally, in order to produce nanofiber yarn, a method of directly twisting or inducing generation of nanofiber yarn by rotation of a propeller or the like at the inlet of the transfer pipe 610 has been taken.

Since the spiral fluid flow generating member 620 according to the present invention is provided along the direction in which the nanofiber bundle is transported, it is expected that a uniform twist can be formed over the entire length of the nanofiber.

Meanwhile, as another embodiment of the transport pipe 610, the transport pipe 610 may be provided as a flat tubular body without the spiral fluid flow generating member 620 and transported as an aligned nanofiber bundle.

As a result, it is possible to implement nanofibers in which the high-order structure of the polymer inside the nanofibers is oriented in one direction.

The conveying pipe scale adjusting unit 630 may include a conveying pipe length adjusting member 632 , a conveying pipe diameter adjusting member 632 , and a screw thread adjusting member 632 .

As shown in FIG. 9, by changing the scale of the transfer tube 610 through the transfer tube length adjusting member 632 and the transfer tube diameter adjusting member 632, an aligned nanofiber bundle or an aligned nanofiber bundle The twist degree and physical properties of the fiber yarn can be formed in various ways.

In addition, by adjusting the distance between the thread 621 and the thread 622, the depth, and the number of the thread 621 or the thread 622, it is possible to form various physical properties of the aligned nanofiber yarn.

Specifically, in the case of the inside of the transfer pipe 610, the length ratio of the screw thread 621 to both screw bones 622 is adjusted, the shape of the screw thread 621 (angular, square, round, etc.), screw bone 622 The shape (angular, flat, round, etc.), the height of the screw thread 621, the depth of the screw bone 622, the number of screw threads 621 or screw bones 622 in the transfer pipe 610, the reference screw thread in the transfer direction ( 621) or the angle of the screw bone 622 can be adjusted.

In the case of the outside of the transfer pipe 610, the length of the transfer tube 610, the diameter ratio of the upper and lower outlets 710 of the transfer tube 610, and the roughness inside the transfer tube 610 can be adjusted.

As described above, by providing the transfer tube 610 in various shapes through the transfer tube scale control unit 630, it is possible to form various twisting directions of nanofibers, degree of alignment, and physical properties of nanofiber yarns.

Industrial applicability that can be taken by stable mass production of aligned nanofiber yarns through the configuration as described above is as follows.

Nanofiber yarns can be used in the form of yarns or woven in all fields of industry that require the characteristics of nanofibers, such as a large surface area to volume ratio, high porosity, and selective permeation control.

In detail, natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and raw silk, artificial silk, and synthetic fibers are made into yarns, and properties such as flexibility, uniform thickness, continuous length, appropriate strength, and elongation are imparted to yarns to make plied or woven fabrics. It will be the same way as using the form,

Nanofibers produced by the present invention can also be utilized in various forms. For example, it is expected to be applicable to various precision, high value-added industries and general industries such as medical materials, beauty materials, health materials, defense materials, separator materials, and sensors.

On the other hand, the nanofiber transfer unit 600 according to the present invention includes a syringe pump 110 (syringe pump), a DC high voltage generator 510 (power supply), and a needle for extracting the nanofibers as shown in FIG. needle) and grounded bottom substrate.

That is, by applying the nanofiber transfer unit 600 according to the present invention to another electrospinning device, aligned nanofibers (bundles) or aligned nanofiber yarns can be generated, and the scale of the nanofiber transfer unit 600 can be reduced. Various adjustments can be made to produce nanofibers or nanofiber yarns with various physical properties.

Next, the high-speed transmission unit 700 may function to induce high-speed movement of the nanofibers by transmitting high pressure in the direction in which the nanofibers are transported.

As an embodiment of the high-speed delivery unit 700, the high-speed delivery unit 700 includes a delivery port 710, a high-pressure delivery means 720, and fluid direction setting as shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8 Means 730 may be included.

The high-speed delivery unit 700 is provided on one side of the nanofiber guide unit 400 or the nanofiber transfer unit 600 to induce high-speed movement of the nanofibers.

As an example of the high pressure sending unit 720, the high pressure sending unit 720 may include a compressor and a pressure fine adjustment unit 721.

The fluid direction setting unit 730 may include a negative pressure chamber, an adapter 732, and a pressure transfer pipe 733.

The negative pressure chamber 731 may be coupled to one side of the nanofiber induction unit 400 or the nanofiber transfer unit 600 . Relative negative pressure is formed in the negative pressure chamber 731 in a direction opposite to the transporting direction of the nanofibers by high-pressure feeding formed in the transporting direction of the nanofibers.

The nanofiber induction unit 400 or the nanofiber transfer unit 600 is the first transfer unit, the nanofibers, before the nanofibers pass through the negative pressure chamber 731 based on the position where the negative pressure chamber 731 is coupled. After passing through the negative pressure chamber 731, it may be classified as a second transfer part.

That is, when a high pressure is sent to the second transport unit, a relative negative pressure may be formed in the negative pressure chamber 731 in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the nanofibers due to the high pressure transport formed in the direction in which the nanofibers are transported.

The adapter 732 may be provided as an example for setting a direction of high pressure delivery from the negative pressure chamber 731 toward the second transfer unit.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the adapter 732 is connected to the adapter 732 installed inside the negative pressure chamber 731 when the high pressure supplied from the high pressure sending unit 720 is transferred along the pressure transfer pipe 733. It is possible to set the direction of high-pressure transmission in the direction in which the nanofibers are transported.

As another embodiment for setting the direction of high-pressure transmission in the direction in which the nanofibers are transferred to the negative pressure chamber 731, the direction in which the pressure transfer pipe 733 is directly inserted into the negative pressure chamber 731 and the direction in which the nanofibers are transferred It may be provided to be discharged as.

The outlet 710 is a through hole provided at a connection portion between the negative pressure chamber 731 and the second transport pipe 610 and communicates with the adapter 732 or the pressure transport pipe 733 .

As an example of the delivery port 710, the delivery port 710 may be divided into a first delivery port 711 and a second delivery port 712.

One or more second outlets 712 may be formed along the edge of the negative pressure chamber 731, and the first outlet 711 is a cylinder having a plurality of second outlets 712. formed in the center

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 , the high-pressure fluid may pass through the adapter 732 or the pressure transfer pipe 733 and pass through the second outlet 712 . Through this, negative pressure is formed in the negative pressure chamber 731 and nanofibers or nanofiber yarns can be transferred at an increased speed through the first delivery port 711 .

Through the high-speed transmission unit 700 as described above, not only are the plurality of strands of nanofibers spun from the plurality of nozzles aligned, but high-speed movement is induced by negative pressure through the high-pressure transmission, thereby mass-producing nanofiber bundles or nanofiber yarns. can promote

Furthermore, there is an effect of allowing the solvent remaining in the nanofibers to be volatilized or removed by high-pressure sending.

On the other hand, as another embodiment of the nanofiber conveying unit 600, the first conveying pipe 610 and the second conveying pipe 610 have different scales by the conveying pipe scale adjusting means 630 ( 610) may be set.

The high-speed delivery unit 700 induces high-speed movement of the nanofibers through high pressure, and the properties of the nanofibers before and after passing through the high-speed delivery unit 700 may be very different.

Utilizing this point, nanofibers or nanofiber yarns having various physical properties can be created according to the correlation between the scales of the first transport pipe 610 and the second transport pipe 610.

Next, the temperature/pressure control means 800 is a means for controlling the temperature or pressure environment in the process of transporting the nanofibers or nanofiber yarns.

As an example of the temperature/pressure control means 800, the temperature/pressure control means 800 may include an air heater 810 and an air curtain.

The air heater 810 is not limited to one as any means capable of providing heat, and as an example of receiving heat from the air heater 810, the heat provided from the air heater 810 is the pressure Heat is provided to the negative pressure chamber 731 through the transfer pipe 733 to create a high-temperature environment inside the negative pressure chamber 731 to help volatilize the remaining solvent.

In addition, since heat is provided to the nanofibers and transported at a high speed at the same time, uniform stretching of the nanofibers may be induced to improve mechanical properties such as strength.

As shown in FIG. 10, the air curtain generating unit 820 is located outside the polymer solution distributing unit 200 or lower than the jet of the Taylorcon and blows air upward to create an air curtain. .

The air blowing direction can be controlled by adjusting the angle of the air delivery unit (not shown) provided in the air curtain generating unit 820, and the intensity of the air pressure to be injected can be controlled by the pressure fine adjustment unit 721.

The air curtain generating unit 820 may be connected to an air heater 810 and a high pressure sending unit. Through this, the temperature of the air injected from the air curtain may be adjusted.

The air curtain can affect the radial direction of the nanofibers generated by the Taylorcon jet, and has the effect of promoting the solidification of the nanofibers while playing a primary role in volatilizing the residual solvent of the generated nanofibers.

Next, the nanofiber collecting unit 900 is configured to finally collect the nanofibers or nanofiber yarns passing through the nanofiber transfer unit 600 .

As an example of the nanofiber collecting means 900, the nanofiber collecting means 900 may be various types of flat plates, rollers or conveyor belts, or winding devices.

Through the configuration as described above, the electrospinning apparatus for mass production of aligned nanofibers according to the present invention has an effect of mass-producing aligned nanofibers by improving existing nonwoven nanofibers.

In addition, the radiation direction of the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit 300 is provided to include the opposite direction of gravity so that the nanofibers are transported upward toward the nanofiber guide unit 400, so that the residual solvent can be volatilized or removed for sufficient time. This can be ensured, and the phenomenon of dropping droplets in the form of droplets can be prevented.

In addition, the nanofibers are elongated while being transported upward to improve the physical properties of the nanofibers, and are collected while being aligned in one direction, thereby increasing the utilization value of the nanofibers.

As described above, the technical idea of the present invention is to provide an electrospinning device for mass production of aligned nanofibers, and each of the above-described embodiments with reference to the drawings is only one embodiment, a true right of the present invention. The scope should be determined by the claims set forth in the claims.

<Description of codes>

10: Taylor Cohn

11: jet

100: polymer solution supply means

110: syringe pump

120: polymer solution tank

200: polymer solution dispensing means

210: pole plate

220: inner space

230: polymer solution distribution pipe

231: edge distribution pipe

232 cross distribution pipe

300: nozzle unit

310: nozzle body

320 Taylor cone formation means

330: nozzle tube

331: first nozzle pipe

332: second nozzle pipe

340: nozzle fastening means

400: nanofiber guide unit

410: induction unit entrance

420: induction unit exit

430: induction part slope

440: guide part fastening means

500: means for providing high voltage

510: high voltage generator

520: electric field adjusting means

600: nanofiber transfer unit

610: transfer pipe

620: spiral fluid flow generating member

621: thread

622: screw bone

630: transfer pipe scale control means

631: transfer pipe length adjusting member

632: transfer pipe diameter adjusting member

632: thread adjusting member

700: high-speed transmission unit

710: outlet

711: first outlet

712: second outlet

720: high pressure sending means

721: pressure fine adjustment means

730: fluid direction setting means

731: negative pressure chamber

732 adapter

733: pressure feed pipe

800: temperature/pressure control means

810: air heater

820: air curtain generating means

900: nanofiber collecting means

910: guide roller

920: take-up roller

<Representation>

Figure 3

Claims (9)

1. a polymer solution dispensing means provided with an inner space for accommodating the polymer solution;

   one or more nozzles provided in the polymer solution distributing means, one end communicating with the inner space, and nanofibers radiating through the other end;

   a nanofiber induction unit installed to form a predetermined separation distance in a radial direction in which the nanofibers are spun from the nozzle unit and electrically grounded so that the nanofibers emitted from the nozzle unit are approached;

   a high voltage providing means for generating a potential difference so that the polymer solution accommodated in the polymer solution distribution means is formed into spinnable nanofibers;

   a nanofiber transfer unit to which the nanofibers approaching the nanofiber guide unit are transported; and

   Including; nanofiber collecting means for collecting the spun nanofibers,

   Nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that when power is applied to the high voltage providing means, nanofibers are spun from the nozzle part, and the spun nanofibers are transported upward toward the nanofiber guide part.
2. The method of claim 1,

   Nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus wherein a polymer solution distribution pipe, which is a passage through which the polymer solution is supplied to the nozzle part by connecting the area where the nozzle part is provided, is provided in the inner space of the polymer solution distribution means.
3. According to claim 1 or claim 2,

   The nanofiber induction unit,

   It is formed in a tubular shape with a smaller diameter in the direction in which the nanofibers are transported,

   Nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the nanofibers spun from at least one nozzle unit are formed into nanofiber bundles that are guided toward the center of the tube of the nanofiber guide unit while passing through the nanofiber guide unit.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

   The nozzle part,

   a nozzle pipe having one end in communication with the inner space of the polymer solution distribution means;

   A Taylor cone forming means provided in a bowl shape at the other end of the nozzle pipe to form a Taylor cone with a polymer solution;

   The Taylor cone forming means,

   A bowl-shaped large cross-sectional area is formed to face the direction in which the nanofibers are spun,

   When the polymer solution contained in the bowl of the Taylor cone forming means is spun into nanofibers, the amount of the polymer solution contained in the Taylor cone forming means is maintained at a predetermined amount.
5. The method of claim 4,

   The nozzle tube,

   A first nozzle tube formed to have a predetermined cross-sectional area and one end communicating with the inner space of the polymer solution dispensing means, one end connected to the other end of the first nozzle pipe and the other end connected to the Taylor cone forming means Nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus divided into a second nozzle tube that communicates and is formed to have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first nozzle tube.
6. The method according to any one of claims 4 or 5,

   In the nozzle part,

   A normally provided case with both sides open; is further included,

   The nozzle tube is nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that provided in the case.
7. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 3,

   The nanofiber transfer unit,

   a transport pipe through which the spun nanofibers are transported;

   A spiral fluid flow generating member formed on the inner wall of the transfer pipe along the transfer direction of the nanofibers and divided into a screw thread and a screw bone;

   Nanofiber transfer unit, characterized in that the nanofiber bundles composed of a plurality of the nanofibers are twisted with each other by the spiral flow of the fluid formed along the spiral fluid flow generating member.
8. The method of claim 7,

   In the nanofiber transfer unit,

   A conveying pipe scale adjusting means divided into a conveying pipe length adjusting member, a conveying pipe diameter adjusting member, and a screw thread adjusting member; is further included,

   Inside the transport pipe, adjust the length ratio of the screw thread to both screw bones, the shape of the screw thread, the shape of the screw bone, the height of the screw thread, the depth of the screw bone, the number of screws or screws, and the angle of the screw thread or screw bone based on the transfer direction, ,

   Outside the transfer pipe, the length of the transfer tube, the diameter ratio of the inlet of the transfer tube, and the nanofiber transfer unit, characterized in that the roughness inside the transfer tube can be adjusted.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

   In the nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus,

   a high-speed delivery unit provided on one side of the nanofiber induction unit or the nanofiber transfer unit and sending a high-pressure fluid toward the transport direction of the nanofibers; Nanofiber electrospinning manufacturing apparatus characterized in that it further comprises.

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