Structural evolution of self-ordered alumina tapered nanopores with 100 nm interpore distance

We in-detail investigated the profile evolution processes of highly ordered alumina under the cyclic treatment of mild anodizing of aluminum foils in oxalic acid followed by etching in phosphoric acid. With the cyclic times increasing, the profiles of nanopores were gradually evolved into the parabola-like, trumpet-like and conical shape. Although the inserted etching itself nearly had no impact on the growth rate of the nanopores due to the rapid recovering of thinned barrier layer at the initial stage of next anodizing, overmuch etching could bring apparent side effects such as wall-breaking, thinning and taper-removing from the top down. The anodizing and etching kinetics and their synergetic effects in modulating different aspect ratios and open sizes of conical pores were studied systematically. These findings are helpful to tailor high-quality anodic alumina taper-pores with tunable profiles.

► Profiles of alumina taper-pores evolve with cyclic anodizing and etching. ► Matched cyclic times, anodizing and etching time is vital to high-quality taper-pore. ► Overmuch etching can cause side effects such as wall-breaking and thinning. ► Roles of anodizing and etching and their co-effects on taper-pore are revealed.