Self-Ordered Nanoporous Alumina Templates Formed by Anodization of Aluminum in Oxalic Acid

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with highly ordered nanopores serve as ideal templates for the formation of various nanostructured materials. The procedure of the template preparation is based on a two-step self-organized anodization of aluminum. In the current study, AAO templates were fabricated in 0.3?M oxalic acid under the anodizing potential range of 30?C60?V at an electrolyte temperature of ~5°C. The AAO templates were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis. The as obtained layers are amorphous; the mean pore size is between 40?nm and 75?nm and increases with the increase of the anodization potential. Well-defined pores across the whole aluminum template, a pore density of ~10¹⁰?pores/cm², and a tendency to form a porous structure with hexagonal symmetry were observed.