Dissolution of the anodic oxide film on aluminium in a sulphuric acid solution

Revisiting anodic alumina templates: from fabrication to applications

Anodic porous alumina, -AAO- (also known as nanoporous alumina, nanohole alumina arrays, -NAA- or nanoporous anodized alumina platforms, -NAAP-) has opened new opportunities in a wide range of fields, and is used as an advanced photonic structure for applications in structural coloration and advanced optical biosensing based on the ordered nanoporous structure obtained and as a template to grow nanowires or nanotubes of different materials giving rise to metamaterials with tailored properties. Therefore, understanding the structure of nanoporous anodic alumina templates and knowing how they are fabricated provide a tool for the further design of structures based on them, such as 3D nanoporous structures developed recently. In this work, we review the latest developments related to nanoporous alumina, which is currently a very active field, to provide a solid and thorough reference for all interested experts, both in academia and industry, on these nanostructured and highly useful structures. We present an overview of theories on the formation of pores and self-ordering in alumina, paying special attention to those presented in recent years, and different nanostructures that have been developed recently. Therefore, a wide variety of architectures, ranging from ordered nanoporous structures to diameter changing pores, branched pores, and 3D nanostructures will be discussed. Next, some of the most relevant results using different nanostructured morphologies as templates for the growth of different materials with novel properties and reduced dimensionality in magnetism, thermoelectricity, etc. will be summarised, showing how these structures have influenced the state of the art in a wide variety of fields. Finally, a review on how these anodic aluminium membranes are used as platforms for different applications combined with optical techniques, together with principles behind these applications will be presented, in addition to a hint on the future applications of these versatile nanomaterials. In summary, this review is focused on the most recent developments, without neglecting the basis and older studies that have led the way to these findings. Thus, it gives an updated state-of-the-art review that should be useful not only for experts in the field, but also for non-specialists, helping them to gain a broad understanding of the importance of anodic porous alumina, and most probably, endow them with new ideas for its use in fields of interest or even developing the anodization technique.

Effect of Aluminum Oxide on the Performance of Ionic Liquid-Based Aluminum–Air Battery

The aluminum–air (or oxygen) battery has received intense attention in the past because of its excellent benefits such as low cost and high energy density, but due to the challenging issues such as hydrogen evolution and inactive oxide film formation on the Al surface, it could not be fully applied. In this study, 1-Ethyl 3-Methyl Imidazolium Chloride ([EmIm]Cl) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) are applied to resolve the aforementioned issues. Ex situ component-level and in situ cell-level open circuit voltage (OCV) tests combined with the physics-based model analyses were conducted to investigate the electrochemical reaction behaviors of the Al–air cell. Especially, the effect of aluminum oxide formation on the anode- and cathode-side reactions were analyzed in detail. The oxide film formed at the Al surface strongly was found to significantly impede the electrochemical reaction at the surface, and the film growth was controlled by decreasing the surface tension by aggressive anions. In the cathode side, the aluminum oxide precipitated in the porous cathode electrode was found to decrease the porous reaction area and block reactant access into the reaction sites. The effects of O2 solubility in the electrolyte, initial porosity and thickness of the porous electrode are compared in detailed, and optimal thickness is suggested.

Novel structured anodic oxide films containing surface layers and porous sublayers showing excellent wear resistance performance

Anodic oxide films contain novel multilayer structure were fabricated by replacing Al cathode with graphite cathode and also tailoring the Al³⁺ concentration using common anodic oxidation technology.

Morphological instability leading to formation of porous anodic oxide films

Electrochemical oxidation of metals, in solutions where the oxide is somewhat soluble, produces anodic oxides with highly regular arrangements of pores. Although porous aluminium and titanium oxides have found extensive use in functional nanostructures, pore initiation and self-ordering are not yet understood. Here we present an analysis that examines the roles of oxide dissolution and ionic conduction in the morphological stability of anodic films. We show that patterns of pores with a minimum spacing are possible only within a narrow range of the oxide formation efficiency (the fraction of oxidized metal atoms retained in the film), which should exist when the metal ion charge exceeds two. Experimentally measured efficiencies, over diverse anodizing conditions on both aluminium and titanium, lie within the different ranges predicted for each metal. On the basis of these results, the relationship between dissolution chemistry and the conditions for pore initiation can now be understood in quantitative terms.

Graded index profile of anodic alumina films that is induced by conical pores

The size and the shape of micropores in anodic alumina films are studied by electron microscope observation and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Pores have conical shapes with ~ 10-nm diameters and are widened at the rate of ~ 0.05 nm/min by immersion in a sulfuric acid solution. Such conical pores give rise to the refractive-index distribution and anisotropy in the alumina films. By analyzing interference fringes, we find that a graded-index profile, as well as birefringence, exists in the anodic alumina films. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Optical loss distribution in anodically oxidized alumina with a 2-D structure

Optical losses have been measured for anodized alumina films with 100-200-A size microstructure. A significant loss increase is seen near the surface of the film, and such a loss distribution disappears by treating the film with hot water or glycerin. The optical loss also depends strongly on the direction of polarization. An alumina microstructure has been modeled based on electron microscope observations, and optical losses have been calculated theoretically. From a comparison of experimental and theoretical results, it would appear that distribution and anisotropy of optical losses are caused by conical micropores and aluminum microcolumns.