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Controlled Nanopatterning of a Polymerized Ionic Liquid in a Strong Electric Field
Author(s) -
Bocharova Vera,
Agapov Alexander L.,
Tselev Alexander,
Collins Liam,
Kumar Rajeev,
Berdzinski Stefan,
Strehmel Veronika,
Kisliuk Alexander,
Kravchenko Ivan I.,
Sumpter Bobby G.,
Sokolov Alexei P.,
Kalinin Sergei V.,
Strelcov Evgheni
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201402852
Subject(s) - materials science , nanolithography , nanotechnology , electric field , miniaturization , nanoscopic scale , voltage , polymer , ionic liquid , optoelectronics , fabrication , composite material , electrical engineering , medicine , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , physics , pathology , quantum mechanics , catalysis , engineering
Nanolithography has become a driving force in advancements of the modern day's electronics, allowing for miniaturization of devices and a steady increase of the calculation, power, and storage densities. Among various nanofabrication approaches, scanning probe techniques, including atomic force microscopy (AFM), are versatile tools for creating nanoscale patterns utilizing a range of physical stimuli such as force, heat, or electric field confined to the nanoscale. In this study, the potential of using the electric field localized at the apex of an AFM tip to induce and control changes in the mechanical properties of an ion containing polymer—a polymerized ionic liquid (PolyIL)—on a very localized scale is explored. In particular, it is demonstrated that by means of AFM, one can form topographical features on the surface of PolyIL‐based thin films with a significantly lower electric potential and power consumption as compared to nonconductive polymer materials. Furthermore, by tuning the applied voltage and ambient air humidity, control over dimensions of the formed structures is reproducibly achieved.