Manipulating ionic conductivity in insulating thermoplastics by use of commercial additives: altering the fluid response to applied electric fields, motivated by electrospinning applications*

The goal of this project is to develop a better understanding of how ionic conductivity in viscous melts can be manipulated with commercial additives and how such changes influence fiber size in the electrospinning process. Our aim is to alter the polymer melt conductivity (in the range 10^-12 – 10^-6 S/cm) with different types and concentrations of additives and understand the resultant changes in jet size and fiber diameter. Changes in mat porosity, decreased fiber size, increased jet density, and transition from electrospinning to electrospraying will be discussed.