Fabrication of micro/nanoporous templates with a novel hierarchical structure by anodization of a patterned aluminum surface

Hierarchical functional materials with various micro/nanostructures have attracted widespread attention because of their particular physical and chemical characteristics. Finding appropriate methods for the preparation of hierarchical functional materials has thus become a hot topic for research. In the present work, micro/ nanoporous templates with a novel hierarchical structure have been fabricated by anodization of a patterned aluminum surface. Firstly, a layer of nail gel (CA600) is applied to the surface of an electropolished aluminum sheet by spin coating. After drying, interconnected microscale cracks are formed on the surface of the aluminum sheets, forming a patterned aluminum surface. Secondly, the aluminum sheets are anodized in 0.3 M oxalic acid electrolyte at 30?50 V (15 ?C) to form micro/nanoporous templates with a novel hierarchical structure. The effect of spinning rate, spinning time, and anodization voltage on the microstructure of the porous templates has been studied in detail. The porous templates can be used to prepare various hierarchical functional materials.