Droplet-Scale Conversion of Aluminum into Transparent Aluminum Oxide by Low-Voltage Anodization in an Electrowetting System
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2025
Abstract
A localized conversion of aluminum into transparent aluminum oxide by droplet-scale anodization is demonstrated in this work. The anodized region can be contained and controlled on the basis of the electrowetting response of the droplet. A highly uniform and transparent anodized spot was achieved using an anodization voltage of 2 V for 10 min. We analyzed the chemical evolution during the formation of the transparent oxide layer using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which revealed the dynamic interplay between Al(OH), AlO(OH), and Al2O3 formation and dissolution during the conversion process. The dominant presence of aluminum oxide/hydroxide on the transparent spot after anodization was observed. The morphological characteristics of the transparent oxide layer exhibited a reduction in surface roughness as anodization time increased. Additionally, the formation of randomly distributed nanopores was observed in the anodized samples. X-ray diffraction results revealed the amorphous nature of the produced transparent oxide layer. This droplet-scale anodization technique can be extended to other transparent metal oxides, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective fabrication route toward sustainable electronics and other related applications.
Recommended Citation
Marco Laurence M. Budlayan, Juan Paolo S. Bermundo, James C. Solano, Mark D. Ilasin, Raphael A. Guerrero, and Yukiharu Uraoka Langmuir 2025 41 (1), 184-192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03303
