Electrodeposited Ni,Fe,Co and Cu single and multilayer nanowire arrays on anodic aluminum oxide template

The Ni, Fe, Co and Cu single and multilayer nanowire arrays to make perpendicular magnetic recording media were fabricated with nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates from Watt solution and additives by the DC electrodeposition. The results show that the diameters of Ni, Fe, Co and Cu single and multilayer nanowires in AAO templates are 40-80 nm and the lengths are about 30 μm with the aspect ratio of 350-750. The magnetic properties of the prepared nanowires are different under different electrodepositing conditions. The remanences (Br) of Ni/Cu/Fe multilayer nanowires are lower than those of others multilayer nanowires, and coercivity (Hc) of Ni/Cu/Fe multilayer nanowires are lower than those of others multilayer nanowires. These are compatible with the required conditions of high density magnetic media devices that should have the low coercivity to easily success magnetization and high remanence to keep magnetization after removal of magnetic field.

FePt nano-stripes fabricated on anodic aluminum oxide templates

A new Fe Pt nanostructure with stripe-like patterns has been prepared by direct current（DC） magnetron sputtering on anodic aluminum oxide（AAO） templates. AAO templates anodized under low voltages（7 V） demonstrate self-organized,maze-like patterns, different from the conventional porous structures obtained at high voltages. Fe Pt thin films deposited on such templates tend to replicate the morphology of the templates. Although there is no obvious spatial ordering, the dimensions of the Fe Pt nano-stripes are highly uniform, due to the constrained growth along the transverse direction of the AAO pattern. The magnetic properties are strongly influenced by this unique morphology. While continuous films demonstrate strong exchange coupling, the dominant interaction in Fe Pt nano-stripes with the same nominal thickness is magnetostatic. The morphology also dictates the magnetization reversal behaviors, with thin films dominated by domain nucleation; while nano-stripes incline to reverse their magnetization by spin rotation. Our work demonstrates that selforganized AAO templates can be used to control the morphology and magnetic behavior of Fe Pt materials.

Electrochemical Fabrication of Pd-Ag Alloy Nanowire Arrays in Anodic Alumina Oxide Template

The synthesis of Pd-Ag alloy nanowires in nanopores of porous anodic aluminum oxide （AAO） template by electrochemical deposition technique was reported. Pd-Ag alloy nanowires with 16%-25% Ag content are expected to serve as candidates of useful nanomaterials for the hydrogen sensors. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy （EDX） were employed to characterize the morphologies and compositions of the Pd-Ag nanowires. X-ray diffraction （XRD） was used to characterize the phase properties of the Pd-Ag nanowires. Pd-Ag alloy nanowire arrays with 17.28%-23.76% Ag content have been successfully fabricated by applying potentials ranging from -0.8 to -1.0 V （vs SCE）. The sizes of the alloy nanowires are in agreement with the diameter of AAO nanopores. The underpotential deposition of Ag＋ on Pd and Au plays an important role in producing an exceptionally high Ag content in the alloy. Alloy compositions can still be controlled by adjusting the ion concentration ratio of Pd^2＋ and Ag＋ and the electrodeposition processes. XRD shows that nanowires obtained are in the form of alloy of Pd and Ag.

Chemical dissolution resistance of anodic oxide layers formed on aluminum

Chemically resistant anodic oxide layers were formed on pure aluminum substrates in oxalic acid-sulphuric acid bath.Acid dissolution tests of the obtained anodic layers were achieved in accordance with the ASTM B 680-80 specifications：35mL/L 85% H3PO4＋20g/L CrO3 at 38℃.Influence of oxalic acid concentration,bath temperature and anodic current density on dissolution rate and coating ratio was examined,when the sulphuric acid concentration was maintained at 160g/L.It was found that chemically resistant and compact oxide layers were produced under low operational temperature （5℃） and high current densities （3A/dm^2）.A beneficial effect was observed concerning the addition of oxalic acid （18g/L）.The morphology and the composition of the anodic oxide layer were examined by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）,atomic force microscopy （AFM） and glow-discharge optical emission spectroscopy （GDOES）.

Cylindrical and Spherical Membranes of Anodic Aluminum Oxide with Highly Ordered Conical Nanohole Arrays

Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) with uniform and controllable pore diameters and periods over a wide range has been explored for various applications due to relatively easy fabrication processes. Moreover, one of the interesting possibilities afforded by the anodization process is that the anodization can take place on aluminum films with arbitrary shape, such as a section of cylinder or sphere, which has not yet been well studied or applied in nanofabrication. In this paper, we report that highly ordered conical nanohole arrays prepared by the anodization of cylindrical and spherical Al films have been fabricated. As can be seen by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), straight nanohole arrays have been grown along the radical directions of the cylindrical or spherical alumina membrane without bending or branching at all, the diameter of the conical nanoholes and the diameter change along individual channels can be tuned by changing the curvature of the membrane. These new types of templates may open new opportunities in optical, electronic and electrochemical applications.

Influence of oxidation heat on hard anodic film of aluminum alloy

The special experimental device and sulfuric acid electrolyte were adopted to study the influence of anodic oxidation heat on hard anodic film for 2024 aluminum alloy. Compared with the oxidation heat transferred to the electrolyte through anodic film, the heat transferred to the coolant through aluminum substrate is more beneficial to the growth of anodic film. The film forming speed, film thickness, density and hardness are significantly increased as the degree of undercooling of the coolant increases. The degree of undercooling of the coolant, which is necessary for the growth of anodic film, is related to the degree of undercooling of the electrolyte, thickness of aluminum substrate, thickness of anodic film, natural parameters of bubble covering and current density. The microstructure and performance of the oxidation film could be controlled by the temperature of the coolant.

Effect of the microstructure of Al 7050-T7451 on anodic oxide formation in sulfuric acid

The effect of the microstructure of an Al 7050-T7451 substrate on the anodic oxide formation in sulfuric acid was studied in this article. The microstructure of the substrate was assessed by optical microscope （OM） and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The surface and cross-section morphologies of the oxide films were examined by scanning electron microscope （SEM）. The chemical composition of intermetallic particles in the alloys and films was investigated using energy dispersive spectroscope （EDS）. The roles of intermetallic phases and grain or subgrain boundaries on the oxide film formation were researched using the potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization technique in sulfuric acid solution. The results show that the transition of coarse intermetallic particles or grain （subgrain） boundaries at the surface of Al alloys can be characterized by potentiodynamic polarization curves. The surface and cross-section micrographs of the anodic layer seem to preserve the microstructure of the substrate. Large cavities in the anodic films are caused by the preferential dissolution of coarse AItCuMg particles and the entrance of Cu-rich remnants into the electrolyte during anodizing. The Al7Cu2Fe particles tend to be occluded in the oxide layer or lose from the oxide surface because of peripheral trenching. Small pores in the films are induced by the dissolution of precipitates in grain or subgrain boundaries. The film surface of recrystallized grain bodies is smooth and homogeneous.

Effect of intermetallic phases on the anodic oxidation and corrosion of 5A06 aluminum alloy

Intermetallic phases were found to influence the anodic oxidation and corrosion behavior of 5A06 aluminum alloy. Scattered in- termetallic particles were examined by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS） after pretreatment. The anodic film was investigated by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and its corrosion resistance was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） and Tafel polarization in NaC1 solution. The results show that the size of A1-Fe-Mg-Mn particles gradually decreases with the iron content. During anodizing, these intermetallic particles are gradually dissolved, leading to the complex porosity in the anodic film beneath the particles. After anodizing, the residual particles are mainly silicon-containing phases, which are embedded in the an- odic film. Electrochemical measurements indicate that the porous anodic film layer is easily penetrated, and the barrier plays a dominant role in the overall protection. Meanwhile, self-healing behavior is observed during the long immersion time.

Evaluation of nanometer-sized zirconium oxide incorporated Al-Mg-Ga-Sn alloy as anode for alkaline aluminum batteries

Zirconium oxide nanoparticles with 0.4 wt.%and 0.8 wt.%are incorporated into the Al-0.65 Mg-0.05 Ga-0.15 Sn(wt.%)alloy anode(base alloy)in order to improve the performance of the resulting anodes.Electrochemical characterization of the reinforced alloys was done by potentiodynamic polarization,electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic discharge and corrosion behavior was evaluated using self-corrosion rate and hydrogen evolution in 4 mol/L KOH solution.The surface morphology of the alloys was also studied using field emission scanning electron microscope(FESEM).The obtained results indicate that the base alloy shows high corrosion rate in 4 mol/L KOH solution by releasing 0.47 m L/(min·cm^2)hydrogen gas,whereas the alloy containing 0.8 wt.%Zr O2 provides the lowest hydrogen evolution rate by releasing 0.32 m L/(min·cm^2)hydrogen gas.Furthermore,by increasing zirconium oxide nanoparticles,the corrosion current density of the aluminum anodes is decreased and their corrosion resistance increases significantly compared to the base alloy in alkaline solution.In addition,nanometer-sized zirconium oxide incorporated anodes exhibit the improved galvanic discharge efficiencies,so that 0.8 wt.%nano-zirconium oxide incorporated base alloy displays the highest power density and anodic utilization compared with the others in 4 mol/L KOH solution.

Formation of unidirectional nanoporous structures in thickly anodized aluminum oxide layer

A series of anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) was grown on the commercially pure 1050 aluminum sheet by controlling electrolyte temperature(2-15 ℃) and anodizing time(0.5-6 h),using a fixed applied current density of 3 A/dm2 in diluted sulfuric acid electrolyte.A crack-free thick AAO with the thickness of 105-120 μm and containing unidirectional nano sized pores(average pore diameter of 5-7 nm) is successfully achieved in the specimens anodized for 2 h,irrespective of electrolyte temperature.When anodizing time reaches 6 h,very thick AAO with the thickness of 230-284 μm is grown,and average diameter of unidirectional pores is in the range of 6-24 nm.The higher values in both the AAO thickness and pore diameter are attained for the specimens anodized at higher temperatures of 10-15 ℃.A crack is observed to exist in the AAO after anodizing up to 4 h and more.A higher fraction(more than 9%) of the crack is shown in the specimens anodized at higher temperatures of 10-15 ℃ for 6 h and a considerable amount of giant cracks are contained.

Evolution of insoluble eutectic Si particles in anodic oxidation films during adipic–sulfuric acid anodizing processes of ZL114A aluminum alloys

The effects of insoluble eutectic Si particles on the growth of anodic oxide films on ZL114A aluminum alloy substrates were in- vestigated by optical microscopy （OM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The anodic oxidation was performed at 25℃ and a con- stant voltage of 15 V in a solution containing 50 g/L sulfuric acid and 10 g/L adipic acid. The thickness of the formed anodic oxidation film was approximately 7.13 μm. The interpore distance and the diameters of the major pores in the porous layer of the film were within the ap- proximate ranges of 10~20 nm and 5-10 nm, respectively. Insoluble eutectic Si particles strongly influenced the morphology of the anodic oxidation films. The anodic oxidation films exhibited minimal defects and a uniform thickness on the ZL114A substrates; in contrast, when the front of the oxide oxidation films encountered eutectic Si particles, defects such as pits and non-uniform thickness were observed, and pits were observed in the films.

Fabrication of anodized aluminum oxide membrane with nanometer pores

The pure aluminum and Al Mg Mn alloy were anodized in 4%, 10% and 18.5% phosphoric acid solution, respectively. As for pure Al, the maximum thickness of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane, 216 nm, is obtained by being anodized in 4% solution. Its average pore diameter is around 70 nm, and pore density exceeds 10 10 /cm 2. Under the same technology condition, the membrane thickness decreases with increment of electrolyte content. TEM images show that element Mg or Mn added into aluminum alloy can damage the integration of AAO membrane. During anodizing of aluminum, the formed oxide layer is amorphous. After being annealed at 600 ℃ for 24 h, it is still amorphous. However, when membrane is annealed at 930 ℃, the amorphous oxide begins to transform to γ Al 2O 3 .

Influence of adipic acid on anodic film formation and corrosion resistance of 2024 aluminum alloy

The influence of adipic acid on the formation and corrosion resistance of anodic oxide film fabricated on 2024 aluminum alloy was investigated. The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, respectively. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）. The results showed that the adipic acid was absorbed at the electrolyte/anodic layer interface during anodizing. The corrosion rate of anodic film decreased and the film thickness increased. The film was uniform and compact especially at the film/substrate interface. After sealing procedure, anodic film formed with the addition of adipic acid exhibited improved dielectric property and corrosion resistance in aggressive environment.

Anodic Coating Characteristics of Different Aluminum Alloys for Spacecraft Materials Applications

Anodic oxide coatings on aluminum alloys are used for space environment applications. These provide specific thermo-optical properties to spacecraft surface. Fragments of these coatings lead to generate the contamination in satellites and affect the mission lifetime. The current work concerns studying of the anodic processes applied on aluminum and different groups of aluminum alloys as Al7075, Al2024 and Al6061. Experimental procedures are performed using sulfuric acid at different values of current density (1 - 2 A/dm2). The influence of the parameters of anodic film formation on the coating characteristics and layer thickness of aluminum alloys has been investigated. Reflectance and optical properties of the anodized aluminum alloy coatings are determined and found to be dependent on the alloying elements. Changes in anodic coating weight and film thickness of aluminium alloys with the process parameters as current density, temperature, time duration, acid concentration, and sealing system have been studied. Moreover, morphology and surface structure of the considered samples are carried out in attempt to understand the physical characteristics. The obtained results are compared and briefly outlined.

Preparation of well-aligned carbon nanotubes/silicon nanowires core-sheath composite structure arrays in porous anodic aluminum oxide templates

The well-aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arrays with opened ends were prepared in ordered pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. After then, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were deposited in the hollow cavities of CNTs. By using this method, CNTs/SiNWs core-sheath composite structure arrays were synthesized successfully. Growing structures and physical properties of the CNTs/SiNWs composite structure arrays were analyzed and researched by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), respectively. The field emission (FE) behavior of the CNTs/SiNWs composite structure arrays was studied based on Fowler-Nordheim tunneling mechanism and current-voltage (I-V) curve. And the photoluminescence (PL) was also characterized. Significantly, the CNTs/SiNWs core-sheath composite structure nanowire fabricated by AAO template method is characteristic of a metal/semiconductor (M/S) behavior and can be utilized to synthesize nanoscale PN junction or Schottky diode device. This process also could be useful for the fabrication of SiNWs and other nanoscale core-sheath composite structure nanowires with chemically inert interfaces for nanoscale electronic and device applications where surface oxidation is undesirable. The diameters and lengths of nanoscale composite structure arrays can be dominated easily, and the experimental result shows that the curling and twisting structures are fewer than those prepared by other synthesized methods.

Synthesis of ordered Si nanowire arrays in porous anodic aluminum oxide templates

Highly ordered poly crystalline Si nanowire arrays were synthesized in porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The morphological structure, the crystal character of Si nanowire arrays and the individual nanowire were analyzed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atom force microscopy (AFM) and the X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD), respectively. It is shown that most fabricated silicon nanowires (SiNWs) tend to be assembled parallelly in bundles and constructed with highly orientated arrays. This method provides a simple and low cost fabricating craftwork and the diameters and lengths of SiNWs can be controlled, the large area Si nanowire arrays can be achieved easily under such a way. The curling and twisting SiNWs are fewer than those by other synthesis methods.

Magnetic nanowires fabricated by anodic aluminum oxide template—a brief review

Anodic aluminum oxide （AAO） with highly ordered nanoscale pores which are monodisperse and mutually parallel can be produced through a self-organized electrochemical process. Subsequent deposition of materials into the nanopores produces AA0 embedded nanowire arrays. Whilst the templates can be further removed to obtain free individual nanowires, the em- bedded nanowires form an interesting nanocomposite structure. Recent research activities on the fabrication and characteriza- tion of AAO template based magnetic nanowires are reviewed in this article. Studies of specific systems are given as an exam- ple of the research in the area.

Carbon nanotubes prepared by anodic aluminum oxide template method

One of the most unique structural characteristics of carbon nanotubes(CNTs) differentiating from other carbon materials is their hollow nanochannles,which can be utilized for encapsulating and loading foreign matters.The anodic aluminum oxide(AAO) template technique enables the diameter,length,and cap structure control of the replicated CNTs,and thus shows advantages in pore structure control over the traditional CNT growth approaches.This review details the synthesis of CNTs with tunable diameter,length,wall thickness,and crystalline by using the AAO template method.The doping of heteroatoms and filling of foreign matters into AAO-CNTs are also addressed.Moreover,the main challenges and developing trends of the AAO template method are discussed.

Synthesis of carbon nanotube arrays using ethanol in porous anodic aluminum oxide template

Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays confined by porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template were synthe- sized using ethanol as reactant carbon source at low pressure. Images by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and low magnification transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that these CNTs have highly uniform outer diameter and length, absolutely controlled by the diameter and depth of nano-channel arrays of the AAO. High resolution transmis- sion electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging indicates that the graphitization of the CNT walls is better than the results reported on this kind of template-based CNT arrays, al- though it is not so good as that of multiwalled carbon nano- tubes (MWCNTs) synthesized by catalysis. CNTs synthesized using acetylene as reactant gas show much less graphitiza- tion than those prepared using ethanol by comparing the results of HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy. The etching effects of decomposed OH radicals on the amorphous carbon and the roughness of AAO nano-channel arrays on the CNTs growth were employed to explain the graphitization and growth of the CNTs.

Growth and Optical Absorption Properties of Silver Nanorod Arrays in Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates

Silver nanorod arrays have been fabricated by alternat-ing current（AC） and pulsed direct current（DC） electrodeposition in porous anodic aluminum oxide（AAO） templates with controlled pore diameters of 19,38,and 65 nm,respectively.The variation of their optical absorption properties with the incident angle and the nanorods length（corresponding to the electrodeposition time） has been investigated.Optical absorption spectra show that the posi-tion of longitudinal surface plasmon resonance（LSPR） peak has a small blueshift with the increase of incident angle of the excitation light.While the aspect ratio of the nanorods increases,the position of LSPR peak first redshifts and then blueshifts to a certain wave-length.Furthermore,the position of LSPR peak can be tuned,ranging from 550 nm to 900 nm,which makes it possible to cou-ple various wavelength of excitation source to assist radiative en-ergy transfer to the acceptor.