Polymer Through-Hole Membranes with High Aspect Ratios from Anodic Porous Alumina Templates

A polymer membrane with ordered straight through-holes with high aspect ratios was fabricated by a two-step replication process using anodic porous alumina as a starting structure. In the present process, metal pillar arrays, both ends of which were supported by supporting layers, were prepared by the electrochemical deposition of Ni into alumina nanoholes, and a polymer membrane with through-holes was subsequently formed by embedding a monomer into the cavities of the metal pillar arrays. After the polymerization, ordered polymer through-hole membranes were obtained by dissolving the metal pillar arrays.