Effects of non-linear rheology on electrospinning process: A model study

• We examine the role of rheology in the electrospinning process.
• We investigate the concurrent effects in the process with a simple analytical model.
• We analyze the role of the yield-stress with a numerical simulation.

We develop an analytical bead-spring model to investigate the role of non-linear rheology on the dynamics of electrified jets in the early stage of the electrospinning process. Qualitative arguments, parameter studies as well as numerical simulations, show that the elongation of the charged jet filament is significantly reduced in the presence of a non-zero yield stress. This may have beneficial implications for the optimal design of future electrospinning experiments.