The effect of annealing on the photoluminescent and optical properties of porous anodic alumina films formed in sulfamic acid

Photoluminescent and optical properties of porous oxide films formed by two-step aluminum anodization at a constant potential of 30 V in sulfamic acid have been investigated after their annealing, ranging from room temperature up to 600 degrees C. X-ray diffraction reveals the amorphous nature of porous oxide films. Infrared and energy dispersive spectroscopy indicates the presence of sulfuric species incorporated in oxide films during the anodization. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements show PL bands in the range from 320 to 600 nm. There are two peaks in emission and excitation spectra. One emission peak is at constant wavelength centered at 460 nm and the other shifts from 390 to 475 nm, depending on excitation wavelength. For excitation spectra, one spectral peak is at constant wavelength at 270 nm and the other also shifts to longer wavelengths while increasing emission wavelength. Upon annealing of the as-prepared oxide films PL increases reaching maximum value at about 300 degrees C and then decreases. The results indicate the existence of two PL centers, one placed at surface of the pore wall, while the other positioned inside the oxide films. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.