Well-defined nanostructuring with programmable anodic aluminium oxide template

Well-defined nanostructuring over size, shape, spatial configuration, and multi-combination is a feasible concept to reach unique properties of nanostructure arrays, while satisfying such broad and stringent requirements with conventional techniques is challenging. Here, we report programmable anodic aluminium oxide templates to address this challenge by achieving well-defined pore features within templates in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane shape, size, spatial configuration, and pore combination. The structural programmability of template pores arises from broad-range anodization voltage adjusting together with uneven aluminium anodization rate designing, and further relies on a systematic blueprint guiding pore diversification. Starting from the programmable templates, we realize a series of nanostructures that inherit equal structural controllability relative to their template counterparts. Proof-of-concept applications based on such nanostructures demonstrate boosted performance. In light of the broad selectivity and high controllability, programmable templates will provide an all-in-one platform for well-defined nanostructuring.

Structure and optical properties of porous SiC film grown by magnetron sputtering on porous anodic aluminium oxide template

Porous fluorescent SiC films were deposited by magnetron sputtering (MS) using porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template. In the first step AAO was carefully placed on the Si substrate and then coated with SiC film using magnetron sputtering at the deposition temperature of 873K for different times. The pore diameter, pore spacing and thickness of the double pass porous AAO template were 300, 450 and 500 nm, respectively. The SiC film deposited for 60min showed macroporous structure with the pore size of 200 to 250 nm and pore spacing of 450 nm. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the porous SiC film ranged from 400 to 700 nm. The band gap of SiC is 2.305 eV, and the phonon energy of phonon participating in PL of SiC is estimated at 0.075 eV. The source of phonon participating in PL of SiC may be from phonon scattering of silica/SiC interface in porous SiC film. The porous AAO template assisted magnetron sputtering is a promising technical processing for the fabrication of macroporous fluorescent SiC film.

Plasmonic nanorod array for effective photothermal therapy in hyperthermia

Optical properties of anisotropic gold nanorod arrays inside anodic aluminium oxide substrates enhance the longitudinal absorption intensities and the hyperthermia cancer cell killing at 42.1 °C under photothermal laser exposures...