The surface properties of polymer nanofibers are of importance in many applications. In this study, the electrospun polyamide nanofibers were used as substrates for creating functional coating on the nanofiber surfaces. A direct current (DC) sputter coating was used to deposit functional silver nanofilm onto the nanofibers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) were employed to study the topography and chemical composition of the nanofibers, respectively. The AFM results indicate a significant difference in the morphology of the nanofibers before and after the sputter coating. The observations by AFM also show the change in the morphology of the nanofibers with coating time. A full energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) mounted on the ESEM was also used to detect the elemental composition of the functional nanofibers. EDX examination reveals the change in the chemical compositions of the nanofiber surfaces. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.