Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 January 2016
Controlling the bending properties of ionic polymer-metal composites mayimmediately affect their implementation in robotics and medicine. In the presentwork, we propose a direct patterning method for the ionic polymer Nafion usingconventional electron-beam writing. In a proof-of-concept study, we show thatpatterns of arbitrary geometry and sizes between 1 µm and 50µm can be engraved into the polymer surface without using resists.Pattern depth can be deliberately controlled by adjusting the exposure dose. Thepatterns were stable even after prolonged immersion in ionic solution. Thepresented technique therefore opens up the possibility to create uniqueelectrode geometries and to investigate independently the effect of patternsize, density, depth as well as geometry on ionic polymer-metal compositebending.