Nanopore formation dynamics during aluminum anodization

This paper predicts the evolution of nanopores during anodic oxidation of aluminum. The theory is based on approximate nonlinear evolution equations of the interfaces, which reproduce all the observed patterns, and using them for stability analysis. The pore structure in the early stages is described by the Damped Kuramoto–Sivashinsky (DKS) equation, which predicts hexagonal patterns with points and line defects, in agreement with experimental observations of the evolving pores. This is the first work to follow pore dynamics. Comparison with asymptotic constant-thickness and -curvature solutions is conducted.