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The correlations between various formation conditions and the membrane pore characterizations of the anodic alumina membrane were investigated for seeking the optimal conditions for the formation of anodic alumina membrane. High purity aluminum foils were used as the starting materials. The anodizations were conducted under three types of electrolytes, 3% sulfuric acid, 5% sulfuric acid and 2.7% oxalic acid, respectively, with different voltages at 0 degrees C for 48 hours. The characterizations of the pore size, the effective porosity and the pore porosity were observed and determined by scanning electron microscopy. The hydraulic conductance of the membranes was measured to confirm that the pores were open and to evaluate the permselectivity of the membranes. The experimental results showed that the ordered pore arrays were obtained for oxidation under our experimental conditions. While the forming voltage was increasing, the pore size and pore porosity increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the effective porosity decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The pore size formed with 3% sulfuric acid or 5% sulfuric acid was much smaller than that with 2.7% oxalic acid as an electrolyte. The hydraulic conductance of anodic alumina membrane that formed under our experimental condition was high than those of the membranes currently available in clinical procedures. The results suggested that the optimal conditions for the formation of anodic alumina membrane to be used in hemodialysis should be 3% or 5% sulfuric acid with 12.5 V to 17.5 V at 0 degrees C for 48 hours.