In this paper, we report for the first time the use of a Teflon-coated spinneret for electrospinning processes. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and zein were explored as filament-forming polymers, and electrospinning undertaken using both Teflon-coated tubing and traditional stainless steel tubing as spinnerets. Scanning electron microscope observations demonstrated that both the PVP and zein nanofibers produced using the Teflon-coated spinneret are narrower than those from the stainless steel equivalent. Electrospinning using a Teflon-coated spinneret resulted in smaller interfacial drawing forces counteracting the electrical forces on the spinning fluids. The Teflon-coated material thus takes advantage of the electrical forces more efficaciously than the steel analog. A molecular mechanism rationalizing the influence of the spinneret surface on electrospinning is proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.