How to Set Up a Syringe Pump for Electrospinning: Step-by-Step Guide
How to Set Up a Syringe Pump for Electrospinning:
Step-by-Step Guide
Electrospinning is one of the most demanding applications for a syringe pump. The polymer solution must flow at a very low, perfectly consistent rate — any fluctuation in flow causes jet instability, uneven fiber diameter, or bead formation on the collector. Getting the syringe pump setup right is not optional; it is the foundation of reproducible nanofiber production.
This guide walks through every step of configuring an IPS Series syringe pump for a standard electrospinning run, with parameter recommendations, common mistakes, and tips for co-axial setups.
What You Need Before You Start
Before touching the pump, confirm you have:
A compatible syringe (glass recommended for organic solvents — see syringe selection below), the polymer solution prepared and at working concentration, insulating tubing connecting the syringe to the needle (critical for high-voltage isolation), and a stable mounting position for the pump — ideally on an insulating platform outside the high-voltage field.
Safety note: The syringe pump must be electrically isolated from the high-voltage supply. Always use insulating tubing between the syringe outlet and the spinneret needle. Never allow the pump body to contact any grounded or charged surface in the setup.
Step-by-Step Setup
For electrospinning, syringe choice directly affects achievable flow rate range. The smaller the syringe, the lower the minimum flow rate.
Glass syringes are preferred over plastic when working with organic solvents (DMF, DMSO, THF, chloroform) — plastic can swell or leach into the solution. Enter your syringe type and diameter into the IPS pump display or app before running.
Fill the syringe with your polymer solution, leaving no air bubbles. Air in the syringe compresses under the pump’s linear force, causing a lag before flow actually begins — and a surge when the air fully compresses.
Place the pump on a stable, non-vibrating surface outside the high-voltage field. IPS pumps have a syringe clamp that holds the barrel securely — use it. A loose syringe introduces mechanical play that causes flow irregularities.
Connect the syringe to the needle via PTFE or silicone insulating tubing. Keep the tubing as short as practical — long tubing increases dead volume and makes flow stabilization slower. Secure all connections to prevent drip or leakage under the pump’s push force (IPS Series provides up to 30 kg linear force).
Electrospinning flow rates typically fall between 0.1 mL/hr and 2.0 mL/hr (1.67 µL/min to 33 µL/min), depending on the polymer, solvent, concentration, and needle gauge. Starting points for common systems:
| Polymer System | Typical Flow Rate | Syringe Size |
|---|---|---|
| PAN / DMF (10–15 wt%) | 0.5–1.5 mL/hr | 5–10 mL |
| PVDF / DMF:Acetone | 0.3–1.0 mL/hr | 5 mL |
| PCL / Chloroform | 1.0–3.0 mL/hr | 10 mL |
| PVA / Water (10 wt%) | 0.2–0.8 mL/hr | 5 mL |
| Nylon-6 / FA | 0.5–2.0 mL/hr | 5–10 mL |
| Gelatin / TFE | 0.1–0.5 mL/hr | 1–5 mL |
Start the syringe pump first. Wait until a stable Taylor cone forms at the needle tip — this typically takes 1–5 minutes depending on flow rate and solution viscosity. Then apply high voltage. This order prevents solution drip under gravity before the electrostatic stretching force is active.
The IPS pump displays cumulative dispensed volume and elapsed time in real time. On IPS-15RS and IPS-16RS Wi-Fi models, you can monitor and adjust flow rate remotely from outside the fume hood — particularly useful for long runs. Use the recipe function on IPS-12S / IPS-12RS to automate multi-step protocols (ramp up, hold, ramp down).
Co-Axial Electrospinning: Using IPS-13 or IPS-14
Co-axial electrospinning requires two fluids delivered simultaneously through a concentric needle — core solution through the inner needle, shell solution through the outer needle. This demands two synchronized syringe pumps or a single dual-channel pump.
The IPS-13 is the natural choice: its single motor drives both channels in perfect synchrony. Both core and shell solutions advance at the same rate, maintaining the co-axial jet structure. If your protocol calls for different core and shell flow rates (common in core-shell fiber engineering), use the IPS-14 instead — its two independent motors allow each channel to run at a different rate simultaneously.
Co-axial tip: Prime both channels before applying voltage. Air in either channel creates flow asymmetry that destabilizes the co-axial jet immediately. Prime to the needle tip, confirm both channels are flowing, then apply voltage.
IPS Syringe Pumps for Electrospinning
Single-channel, dual-channel synchronized, independent dual, and Wi-Fi models — all with the flow range electrospinning demands.
Need a Complete Electrospinning Setup?
Inovenso designs and manufactures complete laboratory electrospinning and electrospraying systems — including high-voltage power supplies, collectors, enclosures, and integrated syringe pump solutions. Used in research institutions and industrial facilities in 60+ countries.
