ElectrospinTech
Rotating disk electrospinning setup for collection of aligned fibers on glass coverslips
This work by ElectrospinTech is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Purpose
This standard describes the assembly to collect aligned nanofibers on glass coverslips using a rotating disk.
WARNING: High voltage used in electrospinning can result in serious injury if proper safety precautions are not taken.
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Disclaimer Any instruments and materials mentioned in this standard are for reference only. Electrospintech does not guarantee its availability or quality. Electrospintech does not guarantee the quality and the result of any experiments based on this procedure. This standard does not address all safety and health issues regarding the performance of the experiment and/or the end product if any. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate controls, safety and health practices. Local regulatory controls and limitation shall be addressed by the users of this standard prior to its use. |
1. Introduction
To examine the effect of aligned electrospun fibers on cultured cells, it is useful to have the aligned fibers collected on glass cover slips. There are several methods of collecting aligned fibers on substrates and a disk collector makes use of a combination of mechanical rotation and electric field guidance to collect aligned fibers on its edges. The main advantage of this technique is that it is fast and relatively good fiber alignment can be obtained. Fibers are also collected directly on the glass coverslips.
2. Equipment and consumables
2.1 Electrospinning setup components and consumables
| Description | Specification | Example |
| High voltage power supply | Voltage: 0 to 30 kV Current: 0.5 mA to 1.5 mA Note: Request for output cable Ensure there is an earth terminal on the instrument |
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| Syringe pump |
Extrusion syringe pump Able to fit in syringe up to 20 ml |
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| Hypothemic needle |
Gauge: 27G Preferable flat tip |
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| Syringe |
5 ml plastic Luer lock (Do not use needle with slip-on design) |
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| Alligator/crocodile clips | Quantity: 2 to 3 | |
| Extra wires for linking setup to earth terminal | ||
| Fumehood | ||
| Disk collector with motor | Motor rotation speed up to 3000 rpm | See Figure 1 for sample image |
| Cutter | Cutting edge of blade with thickness less than 2 mm |
2.2 General lab equipment, PPE and consumables
| Description | Specification | Example |
| Double sided adhesive tape | Scotch double sided tape | |
| Paper wipes | ||
| *Optical Microscope | ||
| *Techometer (measuring rotation speed) | ||
| Lab coat | Long-sleeved | |
| Glove | ||
| Facemask | ||
| Goggles | Fully covered, chemical resistant |
3. Procedures
3.1 Preparing the collector
Setup the collector in a chemical fumehood.
Stick double-sided adhesive along the edges of the disk with some excess loose tape along the edges as shown in Figure 1.
 Figure 1. Double-sided adhesive distributed along the edges of the disk collector. |
The excess loose tape on the edge shall give approximately 1 mm width of adhesive surface on the glass coverslip as shown in the Figure 2.
 Figure 2. Left. Double-sided adhesive tape with excess loose tap on the edges; Right. Approximately 1 mm width adhesive tape contact surface with glass coverslip. |
SAFETY TEST. Bring down the sash of the fumehood. Switch on the motor and adjust the rotation of the disk to the desired rotation speed for about 1 minute. This is to check the attachment of the glass coverslips to the rotating disk. Any unsecured glass coverslips shall be replaced.
3.2 Assembling the electrospinning setup
Prepare the electrospinning setup as per SOP-ES1001. Note that the flat-plate collector has been replaced by the rotating disk collector.
3.3 Fiber spinning
WARNING: Ensure the high voltage power supply is switched off and the voltage is set to zero- Switch on the power to the motor and tune the rotation speed to the desired rpm (revolution per minute).
Note: To obtain aligned fibers, a rotation speed of greater than 1000 rpm is generally required. - Switch on the syringe pump.
- When a drop of solution emerges from the tip of the needle, switch on the high voltage power supply. Turn up the voltage until the solution drop starts to contort and a jet is observed to form at the tip. Generally, this voltage is about 6 kV and above depending on the solution.
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Lower the fumehood sash to reduce exposure to aerosol and fibers.
NOTE: Extra precautions are required when spinning hazardous solution.
3.4 Examination of collected fiber
Perform the necessary electrospinning stoppage procedure (See SOP-ES1001)
Use a cutter to separate the fibers connecting the edge of the glass coverslips to the exposed knife-edge of the disk collector.
Remove the glass coverslip from the double-sided adhesive tape.
CAUTION: Glass coverslip may break if the adhesion between the double-sided adhesive tape and the glass coverslip is too strong.
4. Storage
Residual or trace amount of solvent may still be present in the collected fibrous membrane. It is recommended that the membrane be kept in the fumehood with the blower switched on or other appropriate drying equipment for at least 24h to reduce exposure to the solvent coming from the membrane
NOTE: Instruments like SEM and TEM are sensitive to the presence of solvents and vapors. Examination of collected membrane using such instruments should only be carried out after a day of drying.
5. Safety
5.1 Chemical safety
Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the chemical supplier or over the internet if you are unsure of any hazard posed by the chemical in use.
Preparation of solution especially involving hazardous substance must be carried out in the fumehood.
5.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Full chemical resistant goggles to reduce exposure of the eye to solvent vapor, particles or fibers
Long sleeved laboratory coat to reduce exposure and contamination of skin and personal wear to spills, particles or fibers
Facemask to reduce exposure of the eye to solvent vapor, particles or fibers. (For organic solvents, use half-mask (eg. 3M Half Facepiece Reusable respirator 7500 series) with cartridge that removes or adsorb organic solvents (eg. 3M Gas and Vapor Cartridge 6000 series).
Compatible gloves (latex, nitrile)
5.3 Electrospinning safety precaution
Do not touch the syringe pump, syringe, needle or the high voltage power cable with you hand when the power supply is switched on. If clogging of the needle tip occurs, either shut down the spinning process or use an insulated tool to remove the clog.
6. Disposal
WARNING: Most countries have strict regulation regarding proper disposal of chemicals especially toxic materials and solvents. In general, DO NOT pour unused solution down the sink if you are unsure of its environmental hazard.
Currently, there is no official warning regarding exposure to electrospun polymeric nanofibers. Thus routine disposal method for general lab constructs may be followed unless otherwise stipulated by local regulation.
Glass bottle used to contain solution for electrospinning should be left in the fumehood to dry (unless the solution is known to be non-toxic) before cleaning.
7. References
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