Abstract:
TEM gold grids act as sensing chambers for liquid crystal based sensing
applications, which are expensive. Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) channels can
replace these chambers and can help in performing multiple sensing on one
substrate. In this research work, impure aluminum foil is used to study and optimize
the AAO channels through anodization because of cost effectiveness and ease of
fabrication. Stepwise anodization is performed by varying voltage and working
temperature for nine set of experiments to increase the pore size of AAO channels.
Anodization process was monitored to make current profiles that are a function of
current and time to predict and analyze the mechanism of pores. The process of high
voltage anodization produces local heat at the surface of aluminum foil which was
reduced by maintaining low working temperatures of anodization bath and also with
continuous stirring of electrolyte. Scanning electron microscopy was used to
investigate surface morphology and cross sectional analysis of anodized aluminum
oxide channels for each set of experiment. This research work resulted in formation
of AAO channels with pore size ranging from 40-270 nm and length of 1-17 μm
through optimized two-step anodization of impure aluminum foil performed
in 5-vol % phosphoric acid at anodizing voltage of 40-190 V.
