Fabrication of AAO films with controllable nanopore size by changing electrolytes and electrolytic parameters

In this paper, we fabricate two kinds of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films with controllable nanopore size by changing electrolytes and electrolytic parameters. The first AAO film with a four-layer structure was fabricated by sequential anodization of aluminum in aqueous solution of H₂SO₄, H₂C₂O₄, malonic acid, and tartaric acid at different anodic oxidation voltages. The average pore diameter of the as-prepared AAO film is 25 nm in the first layer, 54 nm in the second layer, 68 nm in the third layer, and 88 nm in the fourth layer, respectively. The pore densities of each layer decrease downwards to Al substrate, which are 300?×?10⁸, 100?×?10⁸, 21?×?10⁸, and 6.9?×?10⁸ cm^?2, respectively. Furthermore, another AAO film with periodically changed pore diameter was fabricated by alternating anodization of aluminum in aqueous solution of H₃PO₄ and tartaric acid under galvanostatic mode. The anodization processes present approximately identical best ordering voltage (195 V) in H₃PO₄ and tartaric acid under galvanostatic mode. The pore diameter with periodic change can be enlarged through a pore-widening treatment. Both AAO films with special nanopore structures can be used not only as templates for preparing nano-array materials whose pore diameter presents periodic change or gradual increase, but also as nanofilters to separate materials in some special media.     

Solid surface and field catalysed interface formation of colloidal Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> during Al anodizing affecting the kinetics and mechanism of development and structure of porous oxides

Overall kinetic and potentiometric studies of the growth of porous anodic alumina films in saturated H₂SO₄+Al₂(SO₄)₃ electrolyte showed non-saturation conditions inside the pores and supersaturation conditions at the pore surface/electrolyte interface where the field and the solid surface catalyse the formation of colloidal Al₂(SO₄)₃ micelles. Suitable high-strength field thermodynamically sustained electrochemical and chemical kinetic equations were formulated. It was shown that the diameter and surface fraction of charge exchange at the pore bases, the real pore wall surface fraction where oxide dissolution occurs, and its rate are strongly affected by the conditions. The mechanism of growth and structure of the films are quite different from those in H₂SO₄. A mechanism of regular film growth is imposed and the critical current density, above which pitting appears, strongly increases. The formulated theory may predict improved or new Al anodizing technologies. Electronic Publication     

Effects of Samarium on the Properties of the Anodic Pb（Ⅱ） Oxides Film Formed on Pb in Sulfuric Acid Solution

The effects of samarium on the properties of the anodic Pb(II) oxides films formed on lead at 0.9 V (vs. Hg/Hg₂SO₄) in 4.5 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution were studied using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron micrographs (SEM). The experimental results show that adding Sm to lead metal can inhibit the growth of the Pb(II) oxides film effectively, and reduce the resistance of the PbO oxides film obviously. The addition of Sm increases the porosity of the anodic film, which may cause the increase of the ionic conductance produced by the interstitial liquid among the PbO particles in the film and lead to the decrease of the resistance of the anodic film.     

Effect of electrolysis conditions on photocatalytic activities of the anodized TiO2 films

Photocatalytic activities of anodized TiO₂ films for decomposition of gaseous acetaldehyde were investigated. The anodized TiO₂ films were fabricated by galvanostatic anodization in a mixed electrolyte composed of H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄, and H₂O₂. Pre-nitridation treatment effectively enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the anodized TiO₂ films. The electrolysis parameters such as anodization time, current density, electrolyte temperature, and electrolyte composition significantly affected the photocatalytic activity of the anodized TiO₂ films. The improvement of photocatalytic activity of the anodized films is attributed to increase in surface areas of the anodized specimens.     

Ellipsometric study of anodic oxide films formed on niobium surfaces

Anodic oxide films formed potentiostatically on niobium surfaces, from open circuit potential (OCP) to 10 V, were studied by performing in situ and ex situ ellipsometric measurements. The kinetics of the film thickness growth in 1 M H₂SO₄ and complex indices of refraction of these films were determined. A strong influence of the surface preparation conditions on the complex refractive indices of the metal substrate and anodic oxide films was shown. By steady-state measurements at OCP, a small thickening of the natural air-formed oxide film with chemical composition Nb₂O₅ in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution was detected. With cathodic pre-treatment, only partial reduction and small thinning of the natural air-formed oxide film was possible. The thicknesses of the natural air-formed oxide films on fine mechanically polished and electropolished Nb surfaces were determined. The build up of the natural air-formed oxide film, at ex situ conditions, on the already formed anodic oxide films was confirmed. It was shown that electropolishing gives more similar optical surface properties to the bare metal than the fine mechanical polishing. Electronic Publication     

Electrochemical formation of anodic oxide films on Nb surfaces: ellipsometric and Raman spectroscopical studies

Electrochemical formation of anodic oxide films on niobium (Nb) surfaces in 1 M H₂SO₄ solutions was studied using ellipsometry and Raman spectroscopy. By in situ ellipsometric measurements, the coefficient of film thickness growth and the complex index of refraction of anodic oxide films in the voltage range between 0 and 100 V were determined. The Raman spectra reveal that the thin passive films are amorphous. In the beginning of crystallization, the anodic oxide films consist of mixtures of NbO₂ and Nb₂O₅, while NbO₂ is completely transformed to Nb₂O₅ for thicker and well-crystallized films.     

Study on the Impedance Characteristic and Electrocatalytic Activity of Platinum‐Modified Polyaniline Film

The composite electrode of platinum‐modified polyaniline film is formed in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 3 mM H₂PtCl₆ solution by cyclic potential or constant potential deposition of platinum particles in polyaniline film. To make a comparison, the polyaniline film with the same initial thickness and structure is also treated with the cyclic potential or constant potential polarization in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the composite electrode of platinum‐modified polyaniline film is studied in sulfuric acid solution and compared with the EIS of the polyaniline film without platinum dispersion. The results show that the different modes of potential polarization affect greatly the nature and distribution of the platinum particles, instead of the structure of the polyaniline film (matrix). The electrode reaction kinetics and mass transport process parameters involving charge transfer resistance (R_ct), double layer capacitance (C_dl), constant phase elements (CPE) and Warburg impedance in platinum substrate/platinum‐modified polyaniline film/solution interface are discussed on the basis of the interpretation of the characteristic impedance spectra and connected to the electrocatalytic activity on the oxidation of methanol molecules.     

多孔氧化铝有序膜的制备研究

本文用阳极氧化法分别在硫酸和草酸电解液中成功制备出高度有序、具有纳米级孔洞的氧化铝有序阵列模板。采用饱和HgCl₂去除Al基体后,得到典型六方形结构的多孔Al₂O₃有序膜。通过改变氧化电压、氧化时间等条件使模板的孔径、孔深可调、膜厚度可控,并系统研究了对模板有序性、孔径、膜厚度等的影响因素,总结出制备Al₂O₃有序膜的最佳工艺。     

氧化石墨烯/聚吡咯插层复合材料的制备和电化学电容性能

以FeCl₃-甲基橙(MO)为模板, 通过化学原位聚合法成功制备出氧化石墨烯/聚吡咯(GO/PPy)插层复合材料. 采用X射线衍射(XRD)、傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱、扫描电镜(SEM)和透射电镜(TEM)等测试技术对复合材料进行物性表征. 此外, 利用循环伏安、恒电流充放电和交流阻抗测试方法对复合材料在两种不同水系电解液(1 mol·L^-1 Na₂SO₄和1 mol·L^-1 H₂SO₄)中的电化学性能进行了研究. 结果显示: 氧化石墨烯和聚吡咯表现出各自优势并发挥协同作用, 使得GO/PPy插层复合材料在中性和酸性电解液中都显示出可观的比电容. 电流密度为0.5 A·g^-1时, GO/PPy 插层复合材料在Na₂SO₄和H₂SO₄电解液中的比电容分别为449.1 和619.0 F·g^-1, 明显高于纯PPy的比电容. 经过800 次循环稳定性测试后, 两种不同电解液中, 复合材料初始容量的保持率分别为92%和62%. 其中酸性电解液体系中初始容量更大, 而中性溶液中具有更稳定的循环性能.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase immobilized in sol–gel-derived tin oxide/gelatin composite films

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized into a new type of sol–gel-derived nano-sized tin oxide/gelatin composite film (SnO₂ composite film) using a sol–gel film/enzyme/sol–gel film “sandwich” configuration. Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of HRP incorporated into the composite films were investigated. HRP/SnO₂ composite film exhibited a pair of stable and quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks for the HRP Fe(III)/HRP Fe(II) redox couple with a formal potential of about −0.25 V (vs. SCE) in a pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solution. The electron transfer between the enzyme and the underlying electrode was greatly enhanced in the microenvironment with nano-SnO₂ particles and nanoporous structures. Morphologies and microstructures of the composite films and HRP/composite films were characterized with TEM, AFM. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also used to feature the HRP incorporated into composite films. FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrated that HRP in the composite film could retain its native secondary structure. With the advantages of organic–inorganic hybrid materials, the HRP/SnO₂ composite film modified electrode displayed good stability and electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H₂O₂, The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was estimated to be 0.345 mM, indicating a high affinity of HRP entrapped into the composite film toward H₂O₂.     

The influence of initial surface conditions on field crystallization of anodic aluminum oxide films determined by synchrotron X‐ray diffraction

X‐ray diffraction measurements were performed using synchrotron radiation at the SPring‐8 facility and electrochemical techniques to investigate the effect of polishing methods and storage conditions on the crystal structure of air‐formed oxide films and anodic oxide films formed on highly pure aluminum. Storage in an N₂ environment hinders local film breakdown during anodizing, and it was established that the X‐ray diffraction measurements showed the presence of a γ‐Al₂O₃ in the anodic oxide film formed on mechanically polished (MP) specimens. Formation of γ‐Al₂O₃ during anodizing was inhibited by electropolishing because of the removal of the work‐hardened layer that was formed on the MP by electro‐polishing. The X‐ray diffraction results do not show clear differences in the influence of the polishing method on the crystal structure of air formed oxide film. This is due to the very fast oxidation rate of the air‐formed oxide film and very long storage times for the X‐ray measurements. The anodic oxide film formed on aluminum, which has a very flat surface, shows color and the color depended on grain orientation. The electrochemical impedance of the MP specimen is slightly lower than that of the mechanically and then electrochemically polished specimen at the middle frequency range. This impedance difference may be due to formation of γ‐Al₂O₃ in the amorphous anodic oxide film and the thickness of the film. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the incorporation of electrolyte anions in porous anodic Al2O3 films by employing a suitable probe catalytic reaction

A new method has been developed capable of describing the incorporation of electrolyte anions along the pore wall surface and across both the barrier layer and the pore wall oxide after the establishment of the steady state of growth of porous anodic Al₂O₃ where other methods cannot be applied to obtain reliable results. The knowledge of the nature/composition of anodic oxides as regards the incorporation of species like electrolyte anions is of specific importance for both the understanding of the electrochemical mechanism of oxide production and growth and the scientific and technological applications of porous anodic Al₂O₃ films. The method consists of the selection and use of a suitable catalytic probe reaction on porous anodic oxides at thicknesses varying from a value near zero up to the maximum limiting thickness and the treatment of the experimental reaction rate results by a properly developed mathematical formalism. This method was employed in anodic Al₂O₃ films prepared in H₂SO₄ anodizing electrolyte at a constant bath temperature and different current densities using as a probe reaction the decomposition of HCOOH on these oxides, which is almost exclusively a dehydration reaction, at relatively high reaction temperatures, 350 °C and 390 °C, where the effect of other species except SO₄ ²⁻ incorporated in the oxide on the reaction rate is eliminated. It has been shown that the fraction of the intercrystallite surfaces occupied by SO₄ ²⁻ follows a parabola-like distribution. It has a significant value at the pore base surface, depending on the current density, then it passes through a maximum along the pore wall surface and across both the barrier layer and the pore walls near the pore bases at positions depending on the current density and then becomes almost zero at the mouths of the pores of the oxide with the maximum limiting thickness and at both the Al₂O₃/Al interface and cell boundaries. The maximum value of the surface coverage is almost independent of the current density and is always near 1, showing an almost complete saturation of intercrystalline surfaces at these positions. The above distribution of surface coverage predicts a qualitatively similar distribution of the SO₄ ²⁻ bulk concentration across both the barrier layer and pore wall oxide around the pore bases. The method may be improved and developed further either for a more detailed investigation of the above films or to investigate films prepared in other pore-forming electrolytes. Received: 30 July 1998 / Accepted: 30 September 1998     

Tetragonal to monoclinic phase transition observed during Zr anodisation

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a coating procedure that utilises anodic oxidation in aqueous electrolytes above the dielectric breakdown voltage to produce oxide coatings that have specific properties. These conditions facilitate oxide formation under localised high temperatures and pressures that originate from short-lived microdischarges at sites over the metal surface and have fast oxide volume expansion. Anodic ZrO₂ films were prepared by subjecting metallic zirconium to PEO in acid solutions (H₂C₂O₄ and H₃PO₄) using a galvanostatic DC regime. The ZrO₂ microstructure was investigated in films that were prepared at different charge densities. During the anodic breakdown, an important change in the amplitude of the voltage oscillations at a specific charge density was observed (i.e., the transition charge density (Q ^T)). We verified that this transition charge is a monotonic function of both the current density and temperature applied during the anodisation, which indicated that Q ^T is an intrinsic response of this system. The oxide morphology and microstructure were characterised using SEM and X-ray diffraction experiments (XRD) techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the change in voltage oscillation was correlated with oxide microstructure changes during the breakdown process.     

Electrochemical processes of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>S detection in air and solution

An electrochemical cell of potentiometric type Na_0.5WO₃ (reference electrode)/Na⁺-solid electrolyte/PbS (working electrode) capable of rapid and selective changing of the electromotive force value owing to H₂S concentration variations in gas surroundings has been investigated at 295±1 K and a relative humidity of 52%. The sensitivity of this cell was 130 mV/decade at a H₂S concentration within the range 13–130 ppm. Sodium-conducting solid electrolytes of Na₃Zr₂Si₂PO₁₂ and Na₅GdSi₄O₁₂ compositions were used as the Na⁺ solid electrolyte. Such a cell can be used for analysis of H₂S containing water solutions when the reference electrode and the Na⁺ solid electrolyte are thoroughly isolated from the surroundings. Electronic Publication     

Growth of anodic oxide films on iron-triad metal monosilicides in sulfuric acid electrolyte

The mechanism and kinetics of electrochemical formation of anodic oxide films on iron-triad metal monosilicides in the 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution in the potential range of 0.5 to 1.5 V (NHE) were studied by the methods of polarization and impedance measurements. It was concluded that the oxide films on the surface of studied silicides consisted predominantly of SiO₂ and exhibited high barrier properties. The oxide film thickness and specific resistance in relation to the electrode potential were calculated from the impedance data. The constants of oxide film growth were determined.     

A novel hydrogen peroxide sensor based on the redox of ferrocene on room temperature ionic liquid film

A novel sensor was constructed based on the catalytic activity of ferrocene (Fc) that was immobilized on a room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM][BF₄]), film. Electrochemical behavior of ferrocene was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). A pair of stable, well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peak of ferrocene could be obtained at pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. Further investigations reveal that both anodic and cathodic peak currents of ferrocene vary linearly with the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Based on this, a new sensor for the measurement of H₂O₂ can be fabricated facilely. This sensor allowed us to measure H₂O₂ by polarizing the electrode under ether anodic or cathodic potential with an excellent stability and anti-interfering ability.     

Discovery by kinetic studies of the latent physicochemical processes and their mechanisms during the growth of porous anodic alumina films in sulfate electrolytes

The kinetics of growth of porous anodic alumina films in pure H₂SO₄, in mixtures of H₂SO₄ and Al₂(SO₄)₃ and in Al(HSO₄)₃, NaHSO₄ and KHSO₄ electrolytes were studied. The latent physicochemical processes at the pore base surface/electrolyte interface, across the barrier layer, inside the metal/oxide interface and at the pore wall surface/electrolyte interface and their mechanisms were revealed. High field strength equations were formulated describing the ionic migrations from the pore base surface. These showed that, at constant current density and temperature, the inverse of the pore base square diameter depends linearly on the inverse of the H⁺ activity in the anodizing solution and that this diameter increases with H⁺ activity, in agreement with the experimental results. The mechanism of electrolyte anion incorporation inside the barrier layer and the real distribution of the anion concentration across both the barrier layer and pore walls were deduced. The effects of the different kinds and concentrations of the electrolyte anions and cations on both the above processes and their mechanisms were also examined. Electronic Publication     

Tailored Organic Electrode Material Compatible with Sulfide Electrolyte for Stable All‐Solid‐State Sodium Batteries

All‐solid‐state sodium batteries (ASSSBs) with nonflammable electrolytes and ubiquitous sodium resource are a promising solution to the safety and cost concerns for lithium‐ion batteries. However, the intrinsic mismatch between low anodic decomposition potential of superionic sulfide electrolytes and high operating potentials of sodium‐ion cathodes leads to a volatile cathode–electrolyte interface and undesirable cell performance. Here we report a high‐capacity organic cathode, Na₄C₆O₆, that is chemically and electrochemically compatible with sulfide electrolytes. A bulk‐type ASSSB shows high specific capacity (184 mAh g^?1) and one of the highest specific energies (395 Wh kg^?1) among intercalation compound‐based ASSSBs. The capacity retentions of 76 % after 100 cycles at 0.1 C and 70 % after 400 cycles at 0.2 C represent the record stability for ASSSBs. Additionally, Na₄C₆O₆ functions as a capable anode material, enabling a symmetric all‐organic ASSSB with Na₄C₆O₆ as both cathode and anode materials.     

Capacitance and photocurrent study of electronic properties of anodic oxide films on Nb and Ta. Evaluation of the ionized donor concentration profile in Nb2O5 film

Electronic properties of electrochemically formed oxide films on Nb were studied by photocurrent and differential capacitance measurements in 0.025 M KH₂PO₄+0.025 M Na₂HPO₄ electrolyte, pH 6.9. Oxide films of n-type conductivity were formed galvanostatically for final potentials ranging from 4 to 230 V. Measurements were performed in two potential regions, which correspond to formation of a depleted layer of variable thickness at relatively low potentials, and to complete depletion of oxide films of electronic charge carriers at higher potentials. In the first potential region the behavior of both capacitance and photocurrent, was governed by a build up of a depleted layer of potential dependent thickness. In the second, high potential, region, which extends up to the oxide film formation potential, the photocurrent and capacitance of oxide films in most features followed the trends typical of dielectric films containing defects and traps. The photocurrent and capacitance measurements on presumably dielectric oxide films formed on Ta were staged for comparison. The capacitance–potential measurements performed in the first potential region enabled us to construct the ionized donor concentration profile across the Nb₂O₅ film width. The limitations on the use of the C–E profiling method for electrochemically formed oxide layers are considered.     

Modelling the formation and growth of anodic passive films on metals in concentrated acid solutions

Two model approaches to the formation of passive films as adsorbed layers during the active anodic dissolution of a metal in acid and their subsequent growth are presented. The first depicts passivation as proceeding in parallel to active dissolution. Adsorption of water on active surface sites leads to passivation, whereas adsorption of acid leads to active dissolution of the metal. The model is consistent with the impedance response during passivation of Fe and an Fe-20%Mo alloy in concentrated H₃PO₄. The second model is an updated version of the so-called surface charge approach to the mechanism of conduction of anodic passive films. It is based on the assumptions that oxygen vacancies are the main ionic charge carriers and the field strength in the barrier layer is constant. A negative surface charge built up at the film/solution interface via accumulation of metal vacancies accelerates oxygen vacancy transport, thus explaining the pseudoinductive behaviour of the metal/film/electrolyte system under small amplitude a.c. perturbation. The model describes the growth of thin anodic films on Fe, Mo and an Fe-20%Mo alloy in concentrated H₃PO₄. Received: 24 January 1997 / Accepted: 18 April 1997