Synthesis of AAO nanotemplate and its properties

The objective of this study is to synthesize and to characterize anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) nano-templates suited for large area device applications. The wear performance and the mechanical properties of well-ordered nanoporous AAO obtained after a two step anodizing process in sulphuric acid were investigated. Pores with different aspect ratios were obtained at cell voltages of 15 V and 21 V. Pore diameters of ~16 nm and ~27 nm were noticed. The mechanical behaviour of such anodized aluminium oxides (AAO) was determined by nanoindentation at 2 -200 mN normal loads. The tribological behaviour of these nano-templates was studied under reciprocating (ball on flat) sliding against alumina counter-balls. The dependence of the properties of AAO-templates on the small pore diameter is discussed.status: publishe