Small-angle neutron scattering by porous alumina membranes made of aligned cylindrical channels

Small-angle neutron scattering is used to investigate porous alumina membranes (gamma-Al2O3) made of parallel channels with cylindrical shape. The membranes are produced by anodization of thin aluminium sheets. The scattering experiments are performed in a coaxial geometry where the cylindrical pores are oriented with their long axis parallel to the incident beam resulting in isotropic scattering patterns due to the circular symmetry. The results obtained with commercial Anodisc(R) membranes and membranes synthesized in our laboratory are compared to radialy averaged 2D Fourier transforms of electron microscopy images of the alumina membrane surface and to known values of the materials' porosity.