Formation and microstructures of unique nanoporous AAO films fabricated by high voltage anodization

Abstract

Nanoporous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) films with a large-range tunable interpore distance (Dint) and unique microstructures have been fabricated by high voltage anodization (140–400 V) in 0.3 M oxalic acid electrolyte. The influences of anodization conditions (e.g., anodization voltage (Ua) and current density (ia)) on the microstructures of AAO films have been investigated in detail. Experimental results show that there is a linear relationship between Ua and Dint under relatively low Ua. With the increase of Ua, the influences of ia and dehydration of aluminium hydroxide on the Dint may not be ignored, thus resulting in a nonlinear relationship between Ua and Dint. When the anodization is performed at an excessively high Ua of 400 V, an interesting competitive growth of nanochannels inside the AAO film tends to occur, thus forming an AAO film with unique nano/micro morphology at the barrier layer side.