Effects of the voltage and time of anodization on modulation of the pore dimensions of AAO films for nanomaterials synthesis. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chahrour, Khaled M.; Ahmed, Naser M.; Hashim, M.R.; Elfadill, Nezar G.; Maryam, W.; Ahmad, M.A.; Bououdina, M.
• Is Part Of: Superlattices and microstructures. Volume 88(2015)
• Page Start: 489
• Page End: 500
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: AAO film -- Porous microstructure -- CuO nanorods -- Phases transformation; Superlattices as materials -- Periodicals; Microstructure -- Periodicals; Semiconductors -- Periodicals; Superréseaux -- Périodiques; Microstructure (Physique) -- Périodiques; Semiconducteurs -- Périodiques; 621.38152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.spmi.2015.10.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-6036

Abstract

Abstract: Highly-ordered and hexagonal-shaped nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) of 1 μm thickness of Al pre-deposited onto Si substrate using two-step anodization was successfully fabricated. The growth mechanism of the porous AAO film was investigated by anodization current-time behavior for different anodizing voltages and by visualizing the microstructural procedure of the fabrication of AAO film by two-step anodization using cross-sectional and top view of FESEM imaging. Optimum conditions of the process variables such as annealing time of the as-deposited Al thin film and pore widening time of porous AAO film were experimentally determined to obtain AAO films with uniformly distributed and vertically aligned porous microstructure. Pores with diameter ranging from 50 nm to 110 nm and thicknesses between 250 nm and 1400 nm, were obtained by controlling two main influential anodization parameters: the anodizing voltage and time of the second-step anodization. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation after annealing at temperatures above 800 °C. AFM images show optimum ordering of the porous AAO film anodized under low voltage condition. AAO films may be exploited as templates with desired size distribution for the fabrication of CuO nanorod arrays. Such nanostructured materials exhibit unique properties and hold high potential for nanotechnology devices. Highlights: Visualizing the microstructural procedure of two-step anodization using FESEM imaging. Modulation the pore diameter and height of the AAO by using parameters of anodization. CuO nanorods of different diameters fabricated from the AAO films.