Abstract: In this paper, two options of anodic alumina barrier
layer thinning have been demonstrated. The approaches varied with
the duration of the voltage step. It was found that too long step of the
barrier layer thinning process leads to chemical etching of the
nanopores on their top. At the bottoms pores are not fully opened
what is disadvantageous for further applications in nanofabrication.
On the other hand, while the duration of the voltage step is controlled
by the current density (value of the current density cannot exceed
75% of the value recorded during previous voltage step) the pores are
fully opened. However, pores at the bottom obtained with this
procedure have smaller diameter, nevertheless this procedure
provides electric contact between the bare aluminum (substrate) and
electrolyte, what is suitable for template assisted electrodeposition,
one of the most cost-efficient synthesis method in nanotechnology.
Abstract: Intermetallic Ni3Al – based alloys belong to a group
of advanced materials characterized by good chemical and physical
properties (such as structural stability, corrosion resistance) which
offer advenced technological applications. The paper presents the
study of catalytic properties of Ni3Al foils (thickness approximately
50 &m) in the methanol and hexane decomposition. The egzamined
material posses microcrystalline structure without any additional
catalysts on the surface. The better catalytic activity of Ni3Al foils
with respect to quartz plates in both methanol and hexane
decomposition was confirmed. On thin Ni3Al foils the methanol
conversion reaches approximately 100% above 480 oC while the
hexane conversion reaches approximately 100% (98,5%) at 500 oC.
Deposit formed during the methanol decomposition is built up of
carbon nanofibers decorated with metal-like nanoparticles.