Electrolyte for Anodization and Anodized Surface

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This invention describes a process for forming highly porous and stable metal oxide films on 'valve metals' (such as aluminum, titanium, tungsten, and niobium) by anodizing them in an electrolyte that contains at least 85% of an oxoacid of phosphorus (like phosphoric acid), usually without hazardous additives like fluoride. The resulting oxide films feature regularly arranged open nanochannels or pores, giving them a high surface area and strong adhesion to the underlying metal.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacturing of high-performance electrolytic capacitors due to controlled oxide layer thickness and stability.
• Creation of porous oxide films as templates or scaffolds for nanostructure growth and functional coatings (like in sensors, catalysts, or membranes).
• Production of anodized surfaces with improved corrosion resistance, wear resistance, or as adhesive bonding surfaces (such as for lightweight structural bonding in aerospace or automotive industries).
• Biomedical applications such as coatings for surgical implants to enhance biocompatibility and cell interactions.
• Development of self-cleaning, UV-resistant, or photocatalytic surfaces in consumer goods (e.g., electronics, cookware, sporting goods, architectural elements).

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows anodization and production of porous metal oxide films without hazardous fluoride compounds, reducing toxicity and enabling safer and easier scaling of the process.
• Enables formation of stable, homogeneous, and strongly adhering oxide films with high surface area and controlled porosity.
• Offers versatility across a wide range of valve metals, including both commonly used and advanced engineering metals and alloys.
• Can be performed at relatively low current densities, thus reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
• Facilitates production of oxide films with tunable thickness, regular pore size, and structure, which can be tailored to different functional requirements.

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Patent Abstract

Provided is a process for the electrochemical formation of a metal oxide film on a surface of a metal substrate comprising a valve metal, said process comprising the step of anodizing the metal substrate In an electrolyte, characterized in that the electrolyte comprises at least 85% by weight of an oxoacid of phosphorus, based on the total weight of the electrolyte. Moreover, the invention provides metal oxide films with a characteristic structure including channels in a metal oxide matrix that can be prepared by the process.