| Abstract: | Nano‐structured anodic alumina membranes are ideal templates and have wide applications. However, anodic alumina materials begin to curl up at high temperatures. To better understand and overcome this problem, the thermal stability of anodic alumina membranes was investigated. Anodic alumina membranes obtained in oxalic acid electrolyte were heat treated in air at different annealing temperatures up to 1200 °C. Our results show that the sub‐pores produced during the annealing process are responsible for the curling. The repulsive forces between neighboring pores caused by mechanical stress at the metal nucleus/oxide interface promote the formation of the sub‐pores. Annealing under a suitable pressure provided thermal stability to the membranes, because it avoided or minimized curling and cracking phenomena. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the sub‐pores disappeared when annealed under a suitable pressure. |
