Facile Fabrication of Hierarchical Structured Anodic Aluminum Oxide Molds for Large-Scale Production of Superhydrophobic Polymer Films.

Anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) molds were used for the production of large-area and inexpensive superhydrophobic polymer films. A controlled anodization methodology was developed for the fabrication of hierarchical micro-nanoporous (HMN) AAO imprint molds (HMN-AAO), where phosphoric acid was used as both an electrolyte and a widening agent. Heat generated upon repetitive high-voltage (195 V) anodization steps is effectively dissipated by establishing a cooling channel.