"Corona" Wind and Its Relationship to Voltage and Electrode Size in Alternating Current Electrospinning

Electric fields generated by high voltage alternating currents (AC) result in the propagation of electrohydrodynamic "corona" winds in the surrounding gas. This phenomenon is essential for the AC electrospinning process where this voltage is applied to an electrode containing a liquid polymer layer. Electrified liquid jets are generated from this layer to form nanofibers upon the evaporation of the polymer solvent. The propagation of nanofibers primarily depends on the corona wind phenomenon. Consequently, documentation and analysis of the is imperative for the understanding and commercialization of AC electrospinning. This investigation utilizes "dry" experiments without electrospinning precursors to isolate the corona wind parameters to the electrode. Measurements are taken at vertical distances commonly used in the AC electrospinning process. The variance in corona wind velocity distributions due to the shape of the electrodes and applied voltage are discussed.