Three-Dimensional Anodic Aluminum Templates Via A Single-Step Pulsed Potential Method

Abstract

Recent advances in the fabrication of three-dimensional Anodic Aluminum Oxide templates have opened novel opportunities in the generation of photonic structures and material nanostructuration. So far these structures have been produced from the standard two-step pulsed potential anodization and modulated current density anodization approaches. However, their fabrication is slow, with the two-step approach relying on intermediate oxide removal steps that often use toxic etchants. In this work, we report the fabrication of 3D Anodic Aluminum Oxide templates from a single-step pulsed potential method, completely removing the need for intermediate etching steps, and decreasing total fabrication times to less than 24hours. Structural coloration was also successfully demonstrated and analyzed in these templates, for 99.999% and 99.5% Al precursors, presenting the same morphology and optical functionality as templates produced from two-step processes.