Quantificational Etching of AAO Template

Ni nanowires were prepared by electrodeposition in porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template from a composite electrolyte solution. Well-ordered Ni nanowire arrays with controllable length were then made by the partial removal of AAO using a mixture of phosphoric acid and chromic acid (6 wt pct H3PO4:1.8 wt pct H3CrO4). The images of Ni nanowire arrays were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the relationship between etching time and the length of Ni nanowire arrays. The results indicate that the length of nanowires exposed from the template can be accurately controlled by controlling etching time.