In this study, a new, relatively simple fabrication method for forming a mesoporous Al(OH)3 film onAl substrates was demonstrated. This method, i.e., alkali surface modification, was simply comprised of dippingthe substrate in a 5×10-3M NaOH solution at 80oC for one minute and then immersing it in boiling waterfor 30 minutes. After alkali surface modification, a mesoporous Al(OH)3 film was formed on the Al substrate,and its chemical state and crystal structure were confirmed by XPS and TEM. According to the results of theXPS analysis, the flake-like morphology after the alkali surface modification was mainly composed of Al(OH)3,with a small amount of Al2O3. The mesoporous Al(OH)3 layer was composed of three regions: an amorphous-rich region, a region of mixed amorphous and crystal domains, and a crystalline-rich region near the Al(OH)3layer surface. It was confirmed that the stabilization process in the alkali surface modification stronglyinfluenced the crystallization of the mesoporous Al(OH)3 layer.

To improve the filtration efficiency of porous materials used in filters, an extensive specific surface area is required to serve as a site for adsorption of impurities. In this paper, a method for creating a hybridized porous alloy using a powder metallurgical technique to build macropores in an Al-4 wt.% Cu alloy and subsequent surface modification for a microporous surface with a considerably increased specific surface area is suggested. The macropore structure was controlled by granulation, compacting pressure, and sintering; the micropore structure was obtained by a surface modification using a dilute NaOH solution. The specific surface area of surface-modified specimen increased about 10 times compare to as-sintered specimen that comprised of the macropore structure. Also, the surface-modified specimens showed a remarkable increase in micropores larger than 10 nm. Such a hybridized porous structure has potential for application in water and air purification filters, as well as membrane pre-treatment and catalysis.