title: Using Indentation to Quantify Transport Properties of Nanophase-Segregated Polymer Thin Films.
abstract: Indentation of hydrated Nafion thin films reveals that both the in-plane diffusivity of water and the intrinsic permeability of the phase-segregated network decrease dramatically with decreasing film thickness. Using pore-network theory, this decrease in diffusivity is attributed to both an increase in ionic-domain heterogeneity and a reduction in ionic-domain connectivity upon confinement.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Nichole K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Nadermann
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Kirt A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.affiliation: Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA.
authors.forename: Edwin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D004058:Diffusion; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011522:Protons; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011522:Protons; D014867:Water; C040402:perfluorosulfonic acid; D012825:Silicon
keywords: nafion thin films; network structure; poroelastic relaxation indentation; water transport