The effect of hydration layers on the anodic growth and on the dielectric properties of Al2O3 for electrolytic capacitors

Hydrous films were grown on high purity and cubicity Al foils for electrolytic capacitors in deionized water, ethylene glycol - deionized water and in glycerol - deionized water for different immersion times. According to the X-ray diffraction patterns the hydration treatment allowed to grow a pseudo boehmite layer on Al surface whose morphology is appreciably affected by the bath composition. Capacitance measurements and photoelectrochemical findings suggest that a more compact barrier layer forms during the immersion in alcohol containing solutions. The hydration in water allowed to save energy and to prepare more blocking oxide films. The beneficial effect of hydration in hot water on th…