Abstract: Membranes including anodic aluminum oxide structures that are adapted for separation, purification, filtration, analysis, reaction and sensing. The membranes can include a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) structure having pore channels extending through the AAO structure. The membrane may also include an active layer, such as one including an active layer material and/or active layer pore channels. The active layer is intimately integrated within the AAO structure, thus enabling great robustness, reliability, resistance to mechanical stress and thermal cycling, and high selectivity. Methods for the fabrication of anodic aluminum oxide structures and membranes are also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing electrodes for electrolytic capacitors by etching metal foil in a low pH etching electrolyte is disclosed. The low pH electrolyte is an aqueous solution, which comprises hydrochloric acid, glycerol, sodium perchlorate or perchloric acid, sodium persulfate and titanium (111) chloride. Anode foils etched according to the method of the invention maintain high capacitance gains, electrical porosity and strength. The electrical porosity of the etched foils is sufficiently high such that the overall Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) is not increased in multilayer anodes configurations. Also described is a low pH electrolyte bath composition. Anode foils etched according to the present invention and electrolytic capacitors incorporating the etched anode foils are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanostructure including an anodized film including nanoholes. The anodized film is formed on a substrate having a surface including at least one material selected from the group consisting of semiconductors, noble metals, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and carbon. The nanoholes are cut completely through the anodized film from the surface of the anodized film to the surface of the substrate. The nanoholes have a first diameter at the surface of the anodized film and a second diameter at the surface of the substrate. The nanoholes are characterized in that either a constriction exists at a location between the surface of the anodized film and the surface of the substrate, or the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A metallic object, having a metallic substrate of a valve metal or a valve metal alloy inclusive of intermetallic phases, and a thin polyphase oxide coating, is disclosed. The polyphase oxide coating has a metal oxide phase and at least one other organic and/or inorganic phase. The polyphase oxide coating is produced by bringing the metallic substrate into contact with an organic and/or inorganic component to be integrated into the polyphase oxide coating such that the inorganic and/or organic phases are present at or in the direct vicinity of the substrate surface and by simultaneously or subsequently anodically polarizing the substrate material in an electrolytic solution.

Abstract: With the purpose of forming an anodic oxide coating that is given conductivity or other new functions on the surface of aluminum-based material with high productivity, anodizing of aluminum-based material (2) is performed in an anodizing bath containing sulfuric acid together with nitrate ion to form a porous anodic oxide coating on the surface of the aluminum-based material (2). In another processing step, if electroplating is performed after anodizing, silver or a silver compound or other metal (7) can be electroplated from an electroplating bath without dissolving and removing the barrier layer from the bottom (6) of the pores (3) of the porous anodic oxide coating (1).

Abstract: An improved method of anodizing an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece including the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous anodizing bath consisting essentially by weight of about 3 to 5 percent sulfuric acid, from about 0.5 to 1 percent boric acid, not more than about 5.0 g/L aluminum ion, not more than about 0.2 percent chloride ion, and a fungistat consisting of benzoic acid, a water-soluble salt of benzoic acid selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, or lithium benzoate, or mixtures thereof, the fungistat having a concentration in the range of about one part per million (1 ppm) to about ten thousand parts per million (10,000 ppm) by weight; (b) maintaining the bath at a temperature from about 70 to about 90 degrees F.

Abstract: An anodizing electrolyte containing a polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether and an electrochemical process for anodizing valve metals which permits the formulation of an anodic layer having a substantially uniform thickness and reduced flaw density.

Abstract: Copper alloys of aluminum are afforded extended protection against surface corrosion by anodizing the aluminum surface to be protected, treating the surface with a heterocyclic aromatic azole treating agent having up to 16 carbon atoms before, during or after the anodizing step, and coating the treated surface after anodize with a fatty acid of 5 to 24 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method is described for producing colored surfaces on parts of aluminum or aluminum alloy which is characterized by the following process steps:1. The parts are pre-treated by degreasing or cleaning,2. The parts are electrolytically anodically/alkalinely brightened,3. The parts are electrolytically anodized with the use of direct current,4. The parts are electrolytically and/or organically colored, and5. The oxide layer on the parts is compacted.