Carbon-coated anodic aluminum oxide: Synthesis, characterization, and applications

Abstract

Ordered porous carbon materials with regularly arranged pores and adjustable pore sizes have attracted significant attention due to their versatile applications across various fields. In this context, uniform carbon coating of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes is an effective approach to fabricating an ordered array of cylindrical carbonaceous nanopores with adjustable pore diameter and length. The resulting carbon-coated AAO (C/AAO) composite exhibits a meticulously ordered array of meso/macropores, devoid of inter-particle pores and resistance, setting it apart from conventional ordered porous carbons with powder forms. The pore dimensions of C/AAO can be precisely controlled over a wide range, and the carbon chemistry can be customized through heteroatom doping and chemical modifications, all without altering the pore structure. These inherent advantages position C/AAO as a highly promising material with broad application prospects. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis and characterization of C/AAO and related materials, along with their diverse utilization in the fields of optics, field emission, gas sensing, energy storage, electrocatalyst support, and bionics. Furthermore, an outlook on the C/AAO materials is given at the end, highlighting their potential and associated challenges.