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Oxygen evolution: the mechanism of formation of porous anodic alumina

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Abstract

Aluminium anodization behavior in ammonium sebacate solution (w = 4%) in ethylene glycol, and in several H3PO4-containing electrolytes, has been investigated. A new mechanism is proposed for the formation of porous anodic films. The model emphasizes the close relationship between pore generation and oxygen evolution. PO4 3− ions incorporated in the anodic films behave as the primary source of avalanche electrons. It is the avalanche electronic current through the barrier film that causes oxygen evolution during anodization. When growth of anodic oxide and oxygen evolution occur simultaneously at the aluminium anode, cavities or pores are formed in the resulting films. Accordingly, the mechanisms of growth of barrier and porous films are not very different in nature. These findings are a decisive new step towards full understanding of the nature of anodic alumina films.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China

    Xiuli Yang, Xufei Zhu, Hongbing Jia & Ting Han

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  1. Xiuli Yang
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  2. Xufei Zhu
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  3. Hongbing Jia
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  4. Ting Han
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Correspondence to Xufei Zhu.

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Yang, X., Zhu, X., Jia, H. et al. Oxygen evolution: the mechanism of formation of porous anodic alumina. Monatsh Chem 140, 595–600 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-008-0098-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-008-0098-y

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