| Abstract
| - 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 aceticacid. Young's modulus E of a Nafion film was estimated by sequential force curve measurements in water and in5% methanol on one sample surface. Ewater/E5% methanol was 1.75 ± 0.40, so the film was much softer in 5% methanolthan 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, wesucceeded in fabricating 3D nanostructures on a Nafion surface by AFM nanolithography in liquids. Our resultsshowed the new potential of the AFM nanolithography of a polymer film by softening the molecules in liquids.
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