Anodic alumina

Thin layers Anodic alumina films on aluminum 4.211... 

If the rf source is applied to the analysis of conducting bulk samples its figures of merit are very similar to those of the dc source [4.208]. This is also shown by comparative depth-profile analyses of commercial coatings an steel [4.209, 4.210]. The capability of the rf source is, however, unsurpassed in the analysis of poorly or nonconducting materials, e.g. anodic alumina films [4.211], chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-coated tool steels [4.212], composite materials such as ceramic coated steel [4.213], coated glass surfaces [4.214], and polymer coatings [4.209, 4.215, 4.216]. These coatings are used for automotive body parts and consist of a number of distinct polymer layers on a metallic substrate. The total thickness of the paint layers is typically more than 100 pm. An example of a quantitative depth profile on prepainted metal-coated steel is shown as in Fig. 4.39. 

Anodic oxidation of valve metals, particularly, aluminum, has attracted considerable attention because of its wide application in various fields of technology. Traditionally, aluminum is anodized in order to protect the metal against corrosion, to improve its abrasion and adsorption properties, etc.1 The more recent and rapidly growing applications of anodic aluminas in electronics are due to their excellent dielectric properties, perfect planarity, and good reproducibility in production. Finally, ways have recently been found to use the energy potential of aluminum oxidation for chemical power sources of the metal-air type2,3 and other electrochemical applications. 

The compact, nonporous anodic alumina film is the most suitable for fundamental investigations. It is grown by anodization, mostly under constant-current (galvanostatic) conditions, in neutral solutions of borates, tartrates, citrates, and phosphates, all of which possess significant buffering capacity and hence do not allow significant dissolution of the oxide. 

The growth of an anodic alumina film, at a constant current, is characterized by a virtually linear increase of the electrode potential with time, exemplified by Fig. 10, with a more or less notable curvature (or an intercept of the extrapolated straight line) at the beginning of anodization.73 This reflects the constant rate of increase of the film thickness. Indeed, a linear relationship was found experimentally between the potential and the inverse capacitance78 (the latter reflecting the thickness in a model of a parallel-plate capacitor under the assumption of a constant dielectric permittivity). This is foreseen by applying Eq. (38) to Eq. (35). It is a consequence of the need for a constant electric field on the film in order to transport constant ionic current, as required by Eqs. (39)-(43). 

A comparative analysis of the existing analytical techniques is presented in a number of works (see, e.g., Refs. 131 and 132). As can be seen in Table 3, all problems of anodic alumina analysis... 

The chemical composition of anodic aluminas, with special emphasis on the depth-dependent incorporation of electrolyte species (protons, anions, etc.), has been extensively studied. 

Data on Anion incorporation into Anodic Alumina... 

Figure 28. Distribution of sulfur and carbon in anodic aluminas corresponding to the different stages of porous structure growth, as determined by Auger spectroscopy.160...

Very interesting behavior of incorporating anions can be observed when a multicomponent electrolyte is used for oxide formation. Here, anion antagonism or synergism can be observed, depending on the types of anions used. The antagonism of hydroxyl ions and acid anions has been observed in a number of cases. Konno et a/.181 have observed, in experiments on anodic alumina deterioration and hydration, that small amounts of phosphates and chromates inhibit oxide hydration by forming monolayer or two-layer films of adsorbed anions at the oxide surface. Abd-Rabbo et al.162 have observed preferential incorporation of phosphate anions from a mixture of phosphates and chromates. 

The true role of incorporation of anions in the formation of anodic alumina is being intensively discussed. Baker and Pearson183 have considered the anion effect in modifying the structure of anodic oxides to be due to the coordinative ability of anions to replace alumina tetrahedra in the body of the oxides. Dorsey184,185 has postulated that in porous oxides, anions stabilize the network of alumina tetrahedra and octahedra. 

Anodic aluminas are reported in the literature to have both an amorphous and a crystalline structure. The majority of anodic... 

To overcome the shortcomings of interpreting the SIMS data on hydrogen distribution in anodic aluminas, Lanford et al214 have... 

Space charge accumulation in anodic alumina is closely related to the electrochemical processes taking place at the metal-solution contact, as discussed at the beginning of this review (cf. Section II). This is largely overlooked by physicists considering these phenomena. 

Transient and Aging Phenomena in Anodic Alumina Films... 

VI. TRENDS IN APPLICATION OF ANODIC ALUMINA FILMS IN TECHNOLOGY... 

Anodic alumina oxides find steadily growing application in various spheres of technology. Traditionally, they are most popular in civil industrial engineering for producing protective and decorative surface finish in panels and different objects. These applications are well reviewed in the literature.321 Anodic alumina is also widely used in the aircraft and aerospace industry for adhesive bonding of aluminum structures,322-324 composite materials, etc. 

The past decade has been very fruitful for applications of anodic alumina films in the electronics industry. These applications... 

InP transistors for high-speed memory and optoelectronic applications.344 Further work is necessary to investigate the use of anodic alumina in producing high-frequency MOSFETs at other compound semiconductors. 

There are also several proposals to use anodic aluminum oxides in producing optoelectronic devices. Porous oxides may find use as antireflecting coatings for optical pathways. Anodic alumina films doped by Eu and Tb are promising for application in electroluminescent cells for TEELs.28... 

A) anodic alumina membrane (pore diameter (E) inclusion of the hydrophobic carriers 5 or 6. 

---