The Effect of Production Parameters of Oxide Layers on Their Nanostructure, Nanomorphology, and Surface Free Energy

Abstract

Nanotechnology is currently a very promising field of materials science. One of the most recent directions of research in this field is the nanotechnology of the upper layers for applications in engineering kinematic systems. The paper presents the influence of the production parameters of Al2O3 oxide layers on an EN AW-5251 aluminum alloy substrate on the nanostructure, nanomorphology of these layers, and their energy condition. The energy level was determined on the basis of Surface-Free Energy (SFE), determined from wettability (contact) angle measurements using the Owens-Wendt method. Using systematic scanning, the geometric structure of the surface (SGS) was determined for the produced layers. By means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the surface morphology and structure, and the chemical composition of the layers (EDS) were analyzed. Computer analysis of the surface nanoporosity was performed by means of the ImageJ 1.50i program. It was noted in the investigations that the oxide layer production parameters induce changes in the surface free energy of the layers. Changes in the nanomorphology of the upper layers were also observed, depending on the anodizing parameters.