Breaking through\nElectrospinning Limitations: Liquid-Assisted\nUltrahigh-Speed Production of Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers

Carbon-based nanofibers are critical materials with broad\napplications\nin industries such as energy, filtration, and biomedical devices.\nPolyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a primary precursor for carbon nanofibers,\nbut conventional electrospinning techniques typically operate at low\nproduction rates of 0.1–1 mL/h from a single spinneret, limiting\nscalability. In this study, we introduce a novel liquid-assisted ultrahigh-speed\nelectrospinning (LAUHS-ES) technique that achieved actual production\nrates over 220 times faster than conventional methods. This dramatic\nincrease in throughput is achieved through Taylor cone stabilization\nusing a thin layer of liquid sheath, allowing for ultrahigh-speed\nelectrospinning without compromising the structural integrity or uniformity\nof the nanofibers. Comprehensive characterization, including scanning\nelectron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-transform\ninfrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirmed\nthe high quality, consistency, and crystallinity of the produced nanofibers.\nOur results demonstrate that PAN nanofiber fabrication can be scaled\nup significantly while maintaining precise control over fiber morphology\nand performance. This advancement holds substantial promise for large-scale\nindustrial applications, enabling more efficient and cost-effective\nproduction of carbon-based nanofibers.