Abstract: COMSOL Multiphysics finite element simulation software was employed in this study to mimic the way the process parameters influence the magnitude and distribution of the electric field intensity during multineedle electrospinning process. Systematic analysis was conducted on how the factors such as the number, diameter, length, spacing of the spinning needles and applied voltage influence the magnitude and distribution of the field intensity of each needle. The results indicated that the peak value of field intensity occurs at needle tip for single needle electrospinning, while the peak values will occur at the tip outsides of the needles located at the bilateral sides of the linear needle array, and the field intensity of the middle needles decrease due to the suppression actions from the side needles, which are the key reasons for the occurrence of “End effect”. In addition, the peak intensity of the outside needles was found to decrease significantly with the increasing in the number, diameter and length of the needles, while the increase in the applied voltage and the decrease in receiving distance would enhance the peak intensity of electric field notably. These findings will play important role and provide theoretical support for improving the electric field and its distribution in multineedle electrospinning.

Key words: multi-needle, electrospinning, electric field intensity, finite element analysis