Influence of solution and processing parameters towards the fabrication of electrospun zein fibers with sub-micron diameter

The effects of processing and solution parameters on the morphology of food grade electrospun fibers were investigated. The relationship of entanglement concentration (Ce) of zein solution and its electrospinnability was inspected to determine the correlation of fiber morphology with the rheology of solutions. Bead-free and uniform zein electrospun fibers were successfully constructed. Response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to facilitate a more systematic understanding of the electrospinning parameters of zein solutions. The electrospinning parameters studied were concentration of zein solution, solution feed rate, applied voltage and distance between needle tip and collector. The individual and interaction effects between the parameters on average diameter of the electrospun fibers were determined using Box and Behnken factorial design. The interaction effect between feed rate and voltage, the quadratic coefficients of the applied voltage as well as linear coefficients of the solution concentration, voltage and feed rate were found statistically significant in the fabrication of sub-micron fibers. Hence, this work provides an overview on the impact of solution and processing parameters to the fabrication of zein electrospun fibers which may find uses as nanostructured materials in food industry.

► Bead-free fibers occur at C = 2.1Ce.
► Concentration, solution feed rate and applied voltage had significant impact on the average fiber diameter.
► Solution concentration has shown the greatest impact among all the electrospinning parameters.
► Increasing concentration and viscosity will increase the diameter of fabricated electrospun fibers significantly.