Fabrication of anodic alumina oxide templates in a mixture solution of 1,3-propanediol and H3PO4

Purpose This paper aims to study the anodization of aluminum in a mixture solution of 1,3-propanediol solutions and 0.4 mol l−1 H3PO4 at a low temperature. Design/methodology/approach The morphology and composition of the resulting anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template was characterized by means of a scanning electron microscope in combination with an energy dispersive spectrometer. Findings Pore density and pore diameter both were found to be dependent on the temperature of anodization. Originality/value The resulting AAO templates exhibited uniform and regular pores with diameters that were significantly smaller than those found in AAO templates anodized at room temperature.