Functionally Modified Macroporous Membrane Prepared by using Pulsed Laser Deposition

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is used to deposit pure metals (Pt and Au) and a mixture of metals (Pt–Ru) at the surface of a porous aluminum anodic oxide (AAO) substrate. In the case of Pt, thick films (> 300 nm) with pore diameters larger than 150 nm (macroporous), replicating the pore structure of the underlying AAO substrate, are obtained when PLD is performed at high (> 50 eV at^–1) kinetic energy (E_k) conditions. At lower E_k conditions, the characteristic structure of the AAO membrane is not discernable in the deposited film. In that case, the substrate is entirely covered by a film, the structure of which is not different from that of a Pt film deposited on a flat Si substrate under the same conditions. AAO membranes modified by macroporous Au and Pt–Ru alloy films are also prepared, demonstrating that the concept can be applied to a wide range of materials. The mechanisms responsible for the replication of the substrate pore structure in the metallic layer are discussed. These functionally modified macroporous membranes are electroactive and this aspect has been emphasized by studying the electrocatalytic properties of Pt and Pt–Ru modified macroporous membranes for CO oxidation.