Structural Colors of Nanoporous Anodic Alumina: Overview of Recent Advances and Case Study in Elaboration, Characterization, Photometry and Modelling

Anodizing of aluminum generates a nanoporous alumina layer comprising cylindrical nanopores extending essentially perpendicular to the substrate. Visual observation of such nanoporous layers shows a colored specular reflectance consistent with reflectance spectrum measurements. Such structural colors raise interest in particular for producing non-fading colors. However the optical behavior is complex and requires specific characterization setups...