Preparation of open-through anodized aluminium oxide films with a clean method

AAO membranes were detached from Al substrates via an anodic voltage pulse using aqueous HClO4 solution without any organic reagents. Previous studies used a mixture of HClO4(aq) and 2,3-butanedione or methanol. However, 2,3-butanedione has a strong disagreeable odour, methanol is harmful, and the oxidized products of organic reagents contaminate the AAO template. Eliminating organic reagents makes the detachment process easy and clean, with great potential for the mass fabrication and application of AAO films. The voltage and acidity are critical factors in obtaining open-through AAO films. We propose a mechanism for the detachment process, consistent with our experimental results.