Nanocharacterization and nanofabrication of a Nafion thin film in liquids by atomic force microscopy.
We demonstrated the nanocharacterization and nanofabrication of a Nafion thin film using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images showed that the Nafion molecules form nanoclusters in water, in 5% methanol, and in acetic acid. Young's modulus E of a Nafion film was estimated by sequential force curve measurements in water and in 5% methanol on one sample surface. Ewater/E5% methanol was 1.75 +/- 0.40, so the film was much softer in 5% methanol than in water. Even when solvent was replaced from 5% methanol to water, Young's modulus was not recovered soon. We showed the first example of the mechanical properties of a Nafion film on the nanoscale. Furthermore, we succeeded in fabricating 3D nanostructures on a Nafion surface by AFM nanolithography in liquids. Our results showed the new potential of the AFM nanolithography of a polymer film by softening the molecules in liquids.
Research Center for Energy and Environment Science, Musashi Institute of Technology, 1-28-1 Tamazutsumi, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8557, Japan. kumemura@sc.musashi-tech.ac.jp
Kazuo
K
Umemura
Tong
T
Wang
Masahiko
M
Hara
Reiko
R
Kuroda
On
O
Uchida
Masayuki
M
Nagai