Synthesis of zinc oxide porous structures by anodization with water as an electrolyte

We report a simple, reliable and one-step method of synthesizing ZnO porous structures at room temperature by anodization of zinc (Zn) sheet with water as an electrolyte and graphite as a counter electrode. We observed that the de-ionized (DI) water used in the experiment is slightly acidic (pH=5.8), which is due to the dissolution of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere forming carbonic acid. Porous ZnO is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) studies. The current-transient measurement is carried out using a Gamry Instruments Reference 3000 and the thickness of the deposited films is measured using a Dektak surface profilometer. The PL, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to confirm the presence of ZnO phase. We have demonstrated that the hybrid structures of ZnO and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) exhibit good rectifying characteristics. The evaluated barrier height and the ideality factor are 0.45 eV and 3.6, respectively.

Anodization of sputtered metallic films: The microstructural connection

A simple microstructural rationale for successful anodization of metallic films into ordered oxide nanostructures has been identified. It applies to three of the most commonly studied systems, Zr, Ti and Al films and can be extended to other such oxides. A dense Zone T or II microstructure, in sputtered films, is the most critical ingredient. While T-substrate > 0.3T(melting) Ching is the simplest route, pressure and plasma heating can also be exploited. Such microstructures are also associated with a unique growth stress signature. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anodization of Aluminium using a fast two-step process

Ultra-fast two-step anodization method is developed for obtaining ordered nano-pores on aluminium (Al) foil. First anodization was carried out for 10 min, followed by 3 min of second anodization at high voltage (150 V) compared to previous reports of anodization times of 12 h (40-60 V). The pore dimensions on anodized alumina are 180 nm for pore diameter and 130 nm for inter-pore distance. It was evident that by increasing the anodization voltage to 150 V, the diameter of the pores formed was above 150 nm. The electrolyte and its temperature affect the shape and size of the pore formation. At lower anodization temperature, controlled pore formation was observed. The anodized samples were characterized using the field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to determine the pore diameter and inter-pore distance. Using UV-Visible spectroscopy, the reflectance spectra of anodized samples were measured. The alumina (Al2O3) peaks were identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The x-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the Al 2p peak at 73.1 eV along with the oxygen O 1s at 530.9 eV and carbon traces C 1s at 283.6 eV.

Strain-induced anodization of SiGe/Si multiple layers to form high density SiGe/Si heterogeneous nanorods

Nation Natural Science Foundation of China 50672079 60676027 60837001 60776007; National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) 2007CB613404; China-MOST International Sci & Tech Cooperation and Exchange 2008DFA51230

The fabrication of thick SiO2 layer by anodization

Silicon-based silica waveguide (SiO2/Si) devices have huge applications in optical telecommunication. SiO2 up to 25-mu m thick is necessary for some passive SiO2/Si waveguide devices. Oxidizing porous silicon to obtain thick SiO2 as cladding layer is presented. The experimental results of porous layer and oxidized porous layer formation were given. The relationship between cracking of SiO2 and temperature varying rate was given experimentally. Such conclusions are drawn: oxidation rate of porous silicon is several orders faster than that of bulk silicon; appropriate temperature variation rate during oxidation can prevent SiO2 on silicon substrates from cracking, and 25 mu m thick silicon dioxide layer has been obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The fabrication of thick SiO2 layer by anodization

Silicon-based silica waveguide (SiO2/Si) devices have huge applications in optical telecommunication. SiO2 up to 25-mu m thick is necessary for some passive SiO2/Si waveguide devices. Oxidizing porous silicon to obtain thick SiO2 as cladding layer is presented. The experimental results of porous layer and oxidized porous layer formation were given. The relationship between cracking of SiO2 and temperature varying rate was given experimentally. Such conclusions are drawn: oxidation rate of porous silicon is several orders faster than that of bulk silicon; appropriate temperature variation rate during oxidation can prevent SiO2 on silicon substrates from cracking, and 25 mu m thick silicon dioxide layer has been obtained. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of anodization on the fatigue strength of 7050-T7451 aluminium alloy

In recent years, with higher demand for improved quality and corrosion resistance, recovered substrates have been extensively used. Consequently residual stresses originated from these coatings reduce the fatigue strength of a component. Due to this negative influence occasioned by corrosion resistance protective coatings, an effective process like shot peening must be considered to improve the fatigue strength. The shot peening treatment pushes the crack sources beneath the surface in most of medium and high cycle cases due to the compressive residual stress field (CRSF) induced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on the fatigue life of anodic films grown on 7050-T7451 aluminium alloy by sulphuric acid anodizing, chromic acid anodizing and hard anodizing. The influence on the rotating and reverse bending fatigue strength of anodic films grown on the aluminium alloy is to degrade the stress life fatigue performance of the base material.A consistent gain in fatigue life in relation to the base material was obtained through the shot peening process in coated specimens, associated to a residual stress field compressive near the surface, useful to avoid fatigue crack nucleation and delay or even stop crack propagation.

Nanoporous of W/WO3 Thin Film Electrode Grown by Electrochemical Anodization Applied in the Photoelectrocatalytic Oxidation of the Basic Red 51 used in Hair Dye

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of the morphology and microstructure on the photocatalytic properties of titanium oxide films obtained by sparking anodization in H3PO4

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Growth of TiO2 nanotubes by anodization of Ti-7.5Mo in NH 4F solutions

Titanium and its alloys are widely used as biomaterials due to their mechanical, chemical and biological properties. To enhance the biocompatibility of titanium alloys, various surface treatments have been proposed. In particular, the formation of titanium oxide nanotubes layers has been extensively examined. According to the literature, it is possible to induce the growth of TiO2 on the surface of titanium, employing the aqueous anodizing electrolyte. This Ti-7.5Mo alloy was anodized in glycerol electrolytes containg 0.25 wt% of NH4F, with variations in time, voltage and calcinations temperature. After anodization, the sample surfaces were analyzed with a field emission scanning electron microscopy, DRX and contact angle measurements. It was possible to observe the formation of TiO2 on the surface and these findings represent a simple surface treatment for Ti alloys that has high potential for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2013 American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.

Anodization mechanism on SiC nanoparticle reinforced al matrix composites produced by power metallurgy

Specimens of aluminum-based composites reinforced by silicon carbide nanoparticles (Al/SiCnp) produced by powder metallurgy (PM) were anodized under voltage control in tartaric-sulfuric acid (TSA). In this work, the influence of the amount of SiCnp on the film growth during anodizing was investigated. The current density versus time response and the morphology of the porous alumina film formed at the composite surface are compared to those concerning a commercial aluminum alloy (AA1050) anodized under the same conditions. The processing method of the aluminum alloys influences the efficiency of the anodizing process, leading to a lower thicknesses for the unreinforced Al-PM alloy regarding the AA1050. The current density versus time response is strongly dependent on the amount of SiCnp. The current peaks and the steady-state current density recorded at each voltage step increases with the SiCnp volume fraction due to the oxidation of the SiCnp. The formation mechanism of the anodic film on Al/SiCnp composites is different from that occurring in AA1050, partly due the heterogeneous distribution of the reinforcement particles in the metallic matrix, but also to the entrapment of SiCnp in the anodic film.

Simultaneous observation of current oscillations and porous film growth during anodization of InP

The observation of spontaneous oscillations in current during the anodization of InP in relatively high concentrations of KOH electrolytes is reported. Oscillations were observed under potential sweep and constant potential conditions. Well-defined oscillations are observed during linear potential sweeps of InP in 5 mol dm-3 KOH to potentials above ∼1.7 V (SCE) at scan rates in the range of 50 to 500 mV s-1. The oscillations observed exhibit an asymmetrical current versus potential profile, and the charge per cycle was found to increase linearly with potential. More complex oscillatory behavior was observed under constant potential conditions. Periodic damped oscillations are observed in high concentrations of electrolyte whereas undamped sinusoidal oscillations are observed in relatively lower concentrations. In both cases, the anodization of InP results in porous InP formation, and the current in the oscillatory region corresponds to the cyclical effective area changes due to pitting dissolution of the InP surface with the coincidental growth of a thick porous In2O3 film.

Anodization parameters influencing the morphology and electrical properties of TiO2 nanotubes for living cell interfacing and investigations

Nanotube structures have attracted tremendous attention in recent years in many applications. Among such nanotube structures, titania nanotubes (TiO2) have received paramount attention in the medical domain due to their unique properties, represented by high corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, high specific surface area, as well as great cell proliferation, adhesion and mineralization. Although lot of research has been reported in developing optimized titanium nanotube structures for different medical applications, however there is a lack of unified literature source that could provide information about the key parameters and experimental conditions required to develop such optimized structure. This paper addresses this gap, by focussing on the fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes through anodization process on both pure titanium and titanium alloys substrates to exploit the biocompatibility and electrical conductivity aspects, critical factors for many medical applications from implants to in-vivo and in-vitro living cell studies. It is shown that the morphology of TiO2 directly impacts the biocompatibility aspects of the titanium in terms of cell proliferation, adhesion and mineralization. Similarly, TiO2 nanotube wall thickness of 30-40nm has shown to exhibit improved electrical behaviour, a critical factor in brain mapping and behaviour investigations if such nanotubes are employed as micro-nano-electrodes.