Fabrication of anodic alumina membrane

Anodic alumina membrane (AAM) was fabricated by two-step anodizing process in oxalic acid solution. The effects of electrolytic temperature and electropolishing on the final alumina textural properties were researched. The morphology and crystalline structure of the as-received AAM were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The highly ordered hexagonal pores grown in AAM with diameters of 50-70 nm and thickness of several tens of micrometers pack with each other closely and the AAM is an amorphous alumina structure. In addition, the stabilization of electrolytic temperature and electropolished treatment are propitious to form ideally ordered hexagonal pores in AAM.