Water-Bridge-Assisted Ionic Conduction in Probe-Induced Conical Polymer Pattern Formation.

Xie, X N; Chung, H J; Sow, C H; Bettiol, A A; Wee, A T S · Adv Mater · 2005

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Formation of conical polymer structures by atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanolithography and the electrical-conduction mechanism involved in the AFM- probe-induced patterning process are reported. The current is dominated by water-bridge-assisted ionic conduction. Polymer phase transition and mass redistribution occur without modification or degradation of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) material.