Functionally nanostructured fibres were prepared by silver sputter coating at room temperatures. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) were employed to study the topography and wetting behaviour of the fibres, respectively. The AFM results indicate a significant difference in the morphology before and after the sputter coating. The observations by AFM also show the change in the morphology of the fibres with coating time. The ESEM examination of wetting was achieved by changing the relative humidity in the ESEM chamber. The relative humidity was raised up to 100% by controlling the specimen's temperature and the chamber pressure to produce water condensation on the fibre surfaces. The ESEM observation also indicates the change in the wetting properties of the fibres. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.