Fabrication of ideally ordered nanoporous alumina films and integrated alumina nanotubule arrays by high-field anodization

A new and rapid approach to fabricating highly ordered nanoporous alumina films and integrated alumina nano-tubule arrays with perfect hexagonal structures (see Figure and inside cover) is described. By using high-field anodization in a sulfuric acid solution, high-quality self-ordered alumina membranes are produced in hours rather than days. This cost-effective approach to large-area ordered nanoporous membranes may find applications in diverse areas of nanotechnology.