Article Title

Electrocondensation and evaporation of attoliter water droplets: Direct visualization using atomic force microscopy

Authors

Narendra Kurra, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit and DST Unit on Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560 064, India
Adina Scott, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
Giridhar U. Kulkarni, Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit and DST Unit on Nanoscience, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur PO, Bangalore 560 064, India

Keywords

Electrocondensation, attoliter water droplets, biased atomic force microscope (AFM) lithography, electron beam induced deposition, carbonaceous deposition

Abstract

Working with a biased atomic force microscope (AFM) tip in the tapping mode under ambient atmosphere, attoliter (10–18 L) water droplet patterns have been generated on a patterned carbonaceous surface. This is essentially electrocondensation of water leading to charged droplets, as evidenced from electrostatic force microscopy measurements. The droplets are unusual in that they exhibit a highly corrugated surface and evaporate rather slowly, taking several tens of minutes.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-010-1034-0

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Narendra Kurra,Adina Scott,Giridhar U. Kulkarni, Electrocondensation and evaporation of attoliter water droplets: Direct visualization using atomic force microscopy. NanoRes.2010, 3: 307–316