The effect of sulfuric acid on pore initiation in anodic alumina formed in oxalic acid

In this work, a tracer study on pore initiation in anodic alumina in oxalic acid was performed. Effects of some experimental parameters such as applied electrical potential, electrolyte compo-sition and heat pretreatment were evaluated. Electrochemical and morphological experiments were performed using potentiostatic anodizing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tech-niques, respectively. Effect of electrolyte composition on current density was discussed. In vari-ous electrical potentials, electrolyte composition had different effects on current density. Addi-tion of sulfuric acid into oxalic acid increased porosity. Also, distribution of pore size and pore diameter were influenced by presence of sulfuric acid. Effect of electrolyte composition on the morphology of aluminum surface layer depended on the electric potential. Current density and porosity of aluminum surface layer was decreased by heat pretreatment.